THE COMMONWEALTH

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14210, 26 May 1910, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH

Pfftss Aasooiation-By Telegraph-Copyright METHODISM. SYDNEY, May 25. The Rev. Mr Williams, retiring president of the Methodist Conference, stated that during the past three years, the membership of the Australasian Methodist Church, had increased by over ten thousand. These figures represented a much larger increase than the ratio of the increased population. THE PERICLES ROCK. Official advices from Freniantle stafe that the rock whereon the Pericles struck has not, as previously stated, been located. REDUCTION OF LICENSES. During the past three years the Licenses Reduction Board closed 320 hotels. Tlie compensation, which is borne by the trade, amounts to £1.50,000. FROZEN MEAT FREIGHTS. The shipping agents hare decided to increase freight rates on frozen meat to five-eighths of a penny per pound from August. DOCTOR ON TRIAL. Dr Bowkett, of the steamer Otway, who was proceeded against for failure to detect a smallpox patient, this having been followed by a . serious outbreak of the disease, has been committed for trial. ADDRESS BY~MR FISHER. Mr Fisher, Premier of Australia, speaking at Narrandera, said the Labour Party had never doubted the ability of the British Fleet to protect! Australia, but no nation ever became great who deputed its defence to other I people. Australians must undertake ' the task themselves. Referring to the cable service and the news of the world as supplied in the cable messages to the daily press, he said it was not merely inadequate but misleading. They did not want to hear about dogfights and big dinners. They wanted to know how the cause of humanity was progressing in every part of the world. He hoped' that a better cable service might be inaugurated soon over a State line of their own. THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. Mr Maloney, a member of the Federal House, speaking at Wodonga, said it was stated in some quarters that the Labour party would be blocked by the High Court, but the Government would not allow anybody to stand in the way of the people's will. The day of obstruction by tho High Court or Legislative Councils had passed. These institutions were not in consonance with the democratic declarations of the people, and if necessary the people would be appealed to in order to wipe out the restrictions contained in the Constitution. A NEW TOAST. At the Labour demonstration at i Warrnambool the new toast "The Glorious 13th of April " was honoured.