AUSTRALIAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5227, 6 April 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN.

[Special to Press Association.] ACQUITTED. SYDNEY, Apbil 5. The Court-martial acquitted Captain Close of the charge of seduction brought against him by the young woman Cumminga, and slbd of suggesting an illegal operation, but held him guilty of traducing the woman's character. The executive with whom the final decision rested reviewed the finding, and upheld the court with regard to the acquittal, but quashed the finding of guilty. Captain Close was, therefore, fully acquitted. THE PACIFIC CABLE. SYDNEY, Apbil 6. With regard to Queensland's complaint that the New South Waleß authorities are oausing delay over the Paoifio oable negotiations, the Postmaster-General states that he communicated with the other colonies in reference to the matter. The general purport of the replies, with one exception, is against any colony committing itself to the cable in the absence of farther information and consideration. The Queensland Government, he adds, was advised of these replies. He states that while New South Wales is not in a position to at once consent to any proposal whioh commits it, everything is bein done by way of inquiry to facilitate an early decision on the question. THE BABBIT CONFERENCE. At the Babbit Conference resolutiona were carried dealing with regulations as to fencing and wire netting. It was decided that rabbit destruction levies be fixed on the basis of acreage instead of on a stock basis. LAND ABANDONMENT. MELBOUBNE, Aprii, 6. The result of inquiries made by the exPremier shows that very many farmers are abandoning their land. BOBDEB DUTIES. The feeling with regard to federation is being subordinated to that in favour of the removal of border duties, especially the Stock Tax, aa it ia considered that a continuation of the present policy will result in downright injury to the colony. VICTOBIAN POLITICS. With the view of strengthening its hands for the proposed attack on the Government over the Income Tax and the enforcement of selectors' rents proposals, the Opposition made overtures for a coalition with the Ministerial corner. Mr Deakin was offered the leadership of the coalition, but refused to* have anything to do witlr. the combination, and said he intended to give the Government consistent support until the financial affairs of the colony were put right, as he approved of their efforts in that direction. SELECTOBS' DIFFICULTIES. The evidence taken by the Banking Commission in the Mallee dißtriot proves that a vast majority of the selectors are over head and ears in debt, being crippled by the payment of large interest on loans. If the Government advances

money at a reasonable rate of interest the Commissioners believe that the selectors will be placed in a position to recover themselves, and live fairly well. The Government should also stop the present emigration of farmers, as many of that class are now obliged to abandon their land.

ANTI-MILITARISM.

A deputation from the Women's Christian Temperance Union waited .on the Premier, thanking him for having disbanded*the cadets. They said they fully appreciated the worth of physical training, but strongly deprecated training being made subservient to a military career.

VICTORIA AND SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

MELBOITBNE, Apbil 6.

The Aga says : — The bitter epistolary war whioh baa arisen between the Premiers of Victoria and South Australia over the New

Zealand treaty is certainly not of a character to re-establish friendly relations between Victoria and South Australia. It considers that the Premier of this colony had great provocation for his warm reply to Premier Kingston's outbreak of wild inconsequential and undiplomatic wrath, wherein, he took opportunity to let loose the whole budget of forty years 9 grievances; but at the same time the Premier of Victoria should remember the proverb about answering a certain class of people according to their folly.