THE COMMONWEALTH

Southland Times, Issue 16687, 16 March 1911, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH

DEFENCE MATTERS BAIL WAT WAR COUNCIL. (By Telecr&?b.—Preu Association. —Copyrleht.) SYDNEY, March 15. Received March 16, 12.25 a.m. The report of the Railway War Council recommends as follows:—The Council should have a definite military constitution; creation of engineer and railway staff corps: proceedings of the Council to be recorded as recommendations to Ministers; the Defence Council’s duties to be generally to furnish advice on such railway matters as are referred to it by the Minister; to suggest regulations for the transportation of troops,, and to advise local military authorities on the capacity and possibilities of railways. MB FISHER WANTS NO TITLE. TOOWOOMBA, March 15. At a mayoral reception. Premier Fisher, responding to the Mayor’s hope that he would return from the Coronation as "Sir Andrew,” declared that he would not accept a title of any kind. It was time men refused titular honours when offered them. THE EMPIRE SPIRIT. SYDNEY, March 15. Lord Chelmsford presided at a farewell banquet to Premier McGowan, on the eve of his departure for the Coronation. Mr McGowan declared that the safety of the Empire rested on the selfgoverning power given to its people, which was safer and surer than .any republican form of Government. They could best help the Mother Country by helping themselves. Public men in Australia to-day were 'facing this question with all earnestness and determination. TEE CORONATION. SYDNEY, March 15. The rush to the . Coronation has already set in. The steamer bookings at various ports are very heavy. MELBOURNE, March 15. The Federal Government will co-oper-rate in military Coronation reviews at State capitals, and • will ' also provide £2OOO towards a fireworks display in the capitals, each State receiving £333. IRISH BLIGHT. SYDNEY, March 15. Irish blight is rapidly spreading over the whole of the n.rthern part of the State. AVIATION SCHEMES. SYDNEY, March 15. The Aerial League asks the Federal Government for a subsidy of £3OOO. The proposed Sydney to Melbourne flight is conditional on the public sub: bribing £IO,OOO. QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY. BRISBANE, March 15. Queensland University has been opened with sixty students. The Governor, as Chancellor, delivered an address outlining the objects of the Institution. ANOTHER GOLD PINE. SYDNEY, March 15. A rich gold find is reported from Gundagai; a hundredweight of stone yielded 100 ounces and another parcel of 901bs dollied 120 ounces. THE REFERENDA CAMPAIGN. SYDNEY, March 15. The referenda campaign is proceeding with great vigour. Both sides are making a strenuous fight. Mr Fisher speaking at Ipswich, said that if the referenda proposals were not carried, they would come again in a way that would make their opponents fall down from fright.