AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 113, 4 July 1911, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Electric •Telegraph,-—Copyright. United Press Association. Melbourne, July 4. Returns show that of the Northern Torritority’s total area of 315,117,000 acres, only 474,000 acres have been alienated. Excepting the township allotments, most of the alienated lands arc within fifty miles of Darwin. Melbourne, July .4. A return shows' that old-age and invalid pensions cost tbs Commonwealth £2,085,000 annually. Old-age pensioners number 76,089, and invalid pensioners 7319. (Received 4. '9.0 a.m.) Brisbane, duly 4. Tiie year’s revenue is £5,320,000, an increase of £200,755, and the expenditure £5,314,736., an increase of £201,158, compared with the previous year. Melbourne, July 4. The annual report of the Total Abstinence Society states that in two years charges of drunkenness have been reduced .nearly by one-eighth. The total spent 1 in Victoria on' alcoholic liquors in 1909 was £4,005,571, a decrease of £91,239, compared with the previous year. The Federal Treasurer roughly estimates the revenue for the current financial year at £20,000,000, including' £13,000,000 from customs and excise, £1,350,000 from bind tax ; but With the heavy new liabilities involv'd in the 'coniml of the Northern Terriloi it;v, the payment of interest on and the establishment of a sink* iug fund in connection with the payment for propei ties transferred from the States, the construction of the transcontinental railway, building at the Federal capital, besides heavy naval and military expenditure, it will lie necessary to carefully control the expenditure in order to show a credit balance at the and of the year. Sydney, July 4. A meeting, the Lord Mayor presiding, adopted a resolution against the proposed abolition of the Federal Government House in Sydney, and a committee was appointed to interview the State Government on the matter. Sydney. July 4. Lady Dudley departed for England .in the Zeabkidia. She had a hearty send-off. and was the recipient of many gifts of beautiful flowers. Sydney, July 4. Resolutions adopted by the Liberal Reform Association, in conference, favours the municipalisation of hospitals, preferential voting, and that .consideration bo extended under the Early Closing Act to shopkeepers not employing shop assistants. Sydney, July 4. The sum of £20(10 has been subscribed towards the' King Edward memorial fund. Brisbane, July 4. Mr Tudor returned from bis visit to the sugar districts. Ho fears that 'the trouble will prove serious. It is believed there will be no settlement unless eight hours is granted.