THE COMMONWEALTH

Southland Times, Issue 14633, 25 January 1911, Page 6

THE COMMONWEALTH

RAILWAY RETURNS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright). SYDNEY, Jan. 23. The railway earnings increased by £40,700 compared with the last corresponding quarter. MELBOURNE, Jan. 23. The railway revenue for the half-year Increased by £245.450. MURRAY WATERS AGREEMENT. MELBOURNE, Jan. 24. The Murray Waters Conference resulted in a partial arrangement. Broadly speaking. South Australia will be allowed to carry out storage works at Lake Victoria in New South Wales for navigation purposes at her own expense, and lock her own portion of the river, but New South Wales and Victoria will not recognise her claim as to navigation in any way. and do not bind themselves to deliver any quantity of water at the point of intake into South Australia. New South Wales will transfer Lake Victoria, with certain watercourse and lands adjoining tentative to' South 'Australia. A stipulation is made that the agreement does not prejudice any claim to reasonable use by New South Wales of the waters of the River Murry or its tributaries. STRATEGICAL WEAKNESS. SYDNEY, Jan. 24. Major - General Hoad, before the Decentralisation Commission, declared that New South Wales disclosed strategical weakness, as the only railway communication between the North and South is dependent on the line between, Sydney and Newcastle, which is liable to attack ami interruption. It was of grave importance to provide alternative connections more remote from possible attack. VICTORIA’S FINANCIAL STRENGTH. 1. LONDON, Jan. 23. ' The Financial News, in a eulogistic article on the finances of Victoria, states tb at public and private linar.ee is in such a-sound condition that additional taxation for tlie purposes of defence and immigration would be scarcely fell. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS. ADELAIDE, Jan. 24. ' A Bill will be introduced into the House of Representatives next session authorising the construction of the Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie railway. TELEPHONE TOLL SYSTEM. MELBOURNE, Jan. 24. Many large telephone users are complaining of overcharging under the coll system. It is asserted that the overcharge amounts to fifty per cent. ATTEMPTED TRAIN WRECKING. MELBOURNE, Jan. 24. An unsuccessful attempt was made to ■wreck the Melbourne to Ballarat train. Large stones were placed on the line. THE REFERENDUM. SYDNEY. Jan. 24. ■ Mr Kidston. Premier of Queensland, Is visiting Sydney. He slates that lie is emphatically hostile to the referenda proposals. MELBOURNE, Jan. 24. Mr Holman, N.S.W. Attorney-General, In an interview on his return from New Zealand, declined to state his position regarding the referenda in favour of an amendment empowering the Commonwealth to acquire monopolies, but in common with some of his colleagues he will urge the people not to accept the amendment enabling the Commonwealth to gradually absorb the most important £tate legislative functions. FLOODS IN N. S. W. ■SYDNEY. Jan. 21. A cloudburst occurred at Glen limes, and the creeks are Hooded. Considerable damage was dune to crops and fences.