AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 210, 3 October 1894, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Pek Pbess Association)

Receired 7.80 a.m. The New Policy. Melbourne, October 2. Mr Williams, Minister of Railways, replying to a deputation, gate some idea of the railway policy of the new Government. He said it was proposed to proceed with railway consttruetion where good traffic was likely to be secured and promising the country development. The lines should be light ones. They would encourage cheap excursions conducted by the Government instead of outside agencies and it was also probable that notices of dismissal in the construction branch given by the late Government would be withdrawn. A Warrant Issued. Melbourne, October 2. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Burford, an officer of the Bank of New South Wales, for the larceny of £7OO worth of debentures. The theft was only discovered through his obtaining leave of absence on the ground of ill health in August. It is supposed Burford has gone to ’Frisco and sold the debentures before his departure. Land Acquisition Bill. . Brisbane, October 2. A bill has been introduced giving the Government power to purchase agricultural land especially in the Darling Downs district. Mr Powers opposed the measure on tho ground that it would encourage the Government to go in for land speculations. The Premier said tho bill was introduced out of deference to publie opinion. Mr Glassey opposed it, claiming the public had made no demand for the repurchase of land in the Darling Downs. The debate is proceeding. Received 11.45 a.m. Weatherbound. Sydney, This Day. Tho schooner Isabella, bound from Townsville to Dunedin, put in here through stress of weather. Payment of Members. Sydney, Thie Day. In the Legislative Assembly a motion for leave to introduce a Bill to abolish the payment of members was rejected after a lengthy debate by 68 to 31. Revenue. Sydney, This Day. The revenue for the quarter has decreased by LI 11,000 as compared with the same quarter last year. A Broken Record. Sydney, This Day. Kerr has broken the mile cycling record, riding the distance in 2min. 18 1-5 sees. The Labor Trouble. Sydney, This Day. Several slight collisions ecourred at the Greta mine between the unionists and non-unionists. The owners offered the unionists the district rate of wages, but as the latter were not allowed to pick mates or select places in the mine they refused to work. Queensland Items. Brisbane, This Day. The quarter's revenue shows a decrease of -C32.000 compared with tho corresponding period of 1803. The Municipal Council intend to raise a 4 per cent, debenture loan of £150,000. The Agricultural Bill passed the second reading by a large majority. The warship Royalist has left Cairns for Auckland to relieve the Rapid. Victorian News. Melbourne, This Day. The Government propose to spend half a million yearly in railway construction. A conference of the municipal delegates agroed to adopt the minimum rate of wages, ranging from five shillings and sixpence to twelve shillings per day, accordingtothe natureof the employment. All Ministers with the exception of Mr .). A. Isaaes. Attorney-General, have been re-elected unopposed.