Second Edition LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 9, 21 December 1911, Page 6

Second Edition LATEST AUSTRALIAN.

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United I'ross Association.) (Received 21/ 1.86 p.m.) Sydney, December 21. Practically all me snipping companies have decided to increase incerbcace freight races by 5 per cent., bat not passenger races. Enquiries indicated that the arrangement hitherto existing between the companies was at an eua, but it was 'hot considered that a rates war was likely, due increase of freights is regarded as extremely moderate considering the charges the companies have to meet. Portion of the eastern metropolitan district’s water supply was cut oil suddenly yesterday, me pumping lacilities oemg unanio to cope witn the requirements. in the Hugh Court case Minister ior Customs v. Isaac Pni/.acker!ey,„ mo-tor-car importer, it is alleged- tliat there was short payment of Customs duties on three shipments ol cars. Defendant was ordeied to pay £2600 in penalties and costs. Melbourne, December 21. Although tne sliipping companies’ arrangement is ended, it is believed that amicable relations will still exist, and tickets remain interchangeable.

The amount required for the flotation of the Huddart-Parker Company was’£2so,ooo. The share subscription list lias closed with £2,-147,406. Portion is from New Zealand. A report received by the Government from the leading 'hospitals is against the purchase of ,i large supply of radium, it states that tne mineral is only on trial, and its curative powers arc not proved as regards any deep-rooted disease. It suggests obtaining a thousand pounds worth as an experiment.

‘ In the Senate, in the course of discussion on tiie Postal Estimates, meml)ers criticised the action of the Government in adopting an independent wireless i system, which presaged that tiie Marconi and Telefunlven companies would bo sure to bring actions for infringements of rights, 'uie Post-master-General reiterated that if it was found that they were infringing anybody’s rights the Government was prepared to meet them fairly! He trusted that when the Senate met after the recess they would have the seaboard fitted witn wireless stations with absence of legal complications. The Federal session has closed, after a busy .sitting. The House sat throughout yesterday night, and again on Wednesday till after midnight, and passed the Estimates, the Inscribed Stock Bill, the Public Service Bill, the Australian Notes Bill (which is an amendment to reduce the gold reserve on the note issue to 25 per cent.), the Electoral Bill (to. appropriate trust, funds for old-age pensions), and the Senate’s amendments to the tariff. The Senate passed the Loan Bill through Committee, the Pacific Cable Bill through all stages, and the Appropriation Bill. Perth, December 21. For the fifth time in three months burglars entered the Collie Co-opera-tive Store and stole cash amounting to £l5O. The steamer Menderoo has arrived at Port Sampson from Singapore with three cases of smallpox aboard.