COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 23, 20 September 1912, Page 6

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

(Received 10.30 a.m.) ' ■ Sydney, September 20. The Public Works Department reports a shortage of cement, 20s to 21s a cask being paid for small parcels of imported on spot, and 18s 6d for consignments to arrive. The Department secured 12,000' casks of New Zealand at 12s 7d, duty paid, in Sydney, and are purchasing lor forward delivery from Britain and Germany and over 86,000 casks, at ah average of 12s <kl c.i.f. duty paid from Sydney and Newcastle. THE COLONIAL MUTUAL. Melbourne,- September 20. In the Victorian Legislative Assembly Mr Snowball presented ai petition with five .signatures asking for an investigation into the affairs of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society. The petitioners believed that the holders of one-tenth of the shares desired such an inquiry. The petitioners desired the appointment of a Royal Commission or am inspector to investigate. The chief secretary said he had communicated with the AttorneyGeneral with a view to taking immediate action to have a preliminary investigation. If the Attorney-General's port showed there was no truth and no foundation for the charges' it would be improper and unfair to appoint a Royal Commission; but if the company'could npfc,make a complete refutation of>.the charges, 1 the Commission would he appointed.

POOR-PAID PARSONS.. ,; ~ Adelaide, September 20

The Baptist Union discussed, the proposal to raise £SOOO in connection with the Jubilee of the Union in 1913, the money to be used to provide stipends for accredited ministers temporarily without pastorates, and in recognition of long and faithful service. A member wished to move an amendment making the money available for missions, but several speakers protested against the money being devoted to missions while pastors were so poorly paid.

The Rev. A. H. Collins offered to give three names of pastors who, working over thirty years, are now only receiving thirty shillings weekly.

The statement created a sensation. The motion was agreed to in its original form, and also a motion appointing a special committee to consider advisability of fixing the minimum at £250. THE BEEF TRUST. .Melbourne, September 20. Replying to a member of the Legislative Council desirous of moving a motion regarding the American Beef Trust, the Attorney-General* stated that the Government had a man specially engaged looking into the law on the question all over the world, and if occasion arose to stop the Trust coming to Victoria, the Government would no hesitate to do so.