AUSTRALIAN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13295, 25 May 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright Received 1.9 a.m., Mav 25th. .THE NEW SAN FRANSISCO SERVICE: SYDNEY, May 24. Howard Smith and Sons, who are to be the Australian agents, have received news confirming the intention of Andrew Weir and Sons to run a new San Francisco cargo service. The first steamer leaves Seatt-ki, which will be the starting point of the new line, on August 10th, proceeding theuce to San Francisco, probably calling at Auckland en route to Sydney. It is not, however, definitely settled yet whether the steamers will call at New Zealand. SHIPPING FACILITIES. The coal shipping facilities at- Newcastle are being improved by the .erection of foiir dumping machines at a cost of £70,000. SWINE FEVER. Swine fever is causing lieavy losses on a. portion of the south coast. SCULLING-. George Towns declines to visit England this year,, because-; he desires to supervise his brother's training for his race wit-h Webb. FRUIT FLY:. ADELAIDE, May 24. A shipment of New South Wales oranges infested with fruit fly, has been destroyed, and the Act- prohibiting the importation of fruit likely to introduce the pest is to be put in force. THE SINGAPORE STEAM SERVICE. The action of Victoria in subsidising a steam service; with Singapore is strongly resented by I'ocal exporters, and reprisnls are threatened.

IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND. Sir J. Reid, of Adelaide, pi evident of ill? Federal Chamber of Manufacturers, in addressing a. meeting of meiiibers, gave liis impressions of his recent visit to New" Zealand. He ?iud that New Zealand .-was. a colony for New Zealanders. That was to say they wished to be independent of Australia. ' The colony ' was Protectionist and in the present revision of the tariff, Australian products would be practically excluded. The Labour element appeared to be in at, prosperous state; but Australian workmen were returning to the Commonwealth. Although they were earning higher wages in New Zealand, the other conditions existing made living dearer. When all was summed up, Australian workmen were better off in Australia than in New Zealand. In reply to. a question in reference to coal-mines, Mr Reid said that the mines under the control of the Government had the effect of keeping down the price. THE QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS. BRISBANE. May 24. Latest figures make Mr Airey s defeat certain.