THE COMMONWEALTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14002, 10 September 1909, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH.

COMMOx\WEALTH AND STATES. Ptom AuocUtdon-By' i'degraph-Copynjflrt MELROUKi\E, Sept. H. Mr Deakin has introduced it. Bill to provide far tlfe taking ■'over' of the State debts as existing at the■'establishment of the Commonwealth. ~"~ WIRELESS STATIONS. In the House of Representatives, JVIr Kelly moved'in favour of the immediate establishment:.of /wireless stations round the' coasts, and that merchant vessels be equipped with wireless installations, as ail up-to-date means, firstly, of .Riving intelligence of. the appearance in Australian waters of -any hostile force; and secondly, of saving!; life and property imperilled' by accidents at sea.' 'He suggested one station oil the <»ast coast with, a view of establishing eomitiunieation with New Zealand. The Postmaster -General stated that ho' had .much pleasure in supporting the motion. He hoped that with the £IO,OOO now on the. estimates for wireless purposes at least two stations, would he equipped, one in the. vicinity of Sydney and - the other at Frcmantlo. While defence would be the main consideration, h<v hoped to make the system, a" commer ciail success. The motion was adopted on the voices.

IWI.VERSTTV TJTCFOTIM. SYDNEY. Sept 0 Tlip I r tmeis'tv Reform Bill lias boon introduced. Tfc provides for on increase of the State 1 endowment to £20,000, the reduction of students' fees, the abolition of life-, tenure for members of the Senate, and substitu- - ' tins a term of eight years, four members retiimg every second >ear. ■Received 0.1.3 p.m., Sept. Ofh. EARTH TREMORS Tbo "oiemonrrnnh at the Observatorv recorded a series of earth tremors this morning, starting at 0.37 and lasting tlirea-quarters <>t an hour. The amplitude ot the greatest wave was tlnee milliineties. >A series oi less distinct tremois was recorded on Tuesday at midnight. Received 11.1.3 p.m., Sept. 9th. A NEW B\XK. The Australian Untile, of Commerce, late tlie Joint Stock Bank, was registered to-day with a capital of £2,000,000.