AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5687, 5 October 1896, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

■■ ■ . . -•» —7— ' [Per Prebb AbsociAtion.l SYDNEY, Oct.. 4. ANGLICAN SYNOD. The Quinquennial Synod of the dioceses of Australia and Tasmania has commended. The Primate, in his opening addreßS, referring to the proposed revision of the Athanasian Creed, particularly in regard to the damnatory clauses, trusted that if re-translation of the creed comes beforo the Lambeth Conference some relaxation of the requirements of its liturgical uso maybe considered. The Primate touched on thesnbjectof tho reunion of Christendom. He said that the discussion had brought out the .arrogance and exclusiveness of the Roman Catholic claim. The authorities of that church repudiated all other churches and called them schismatic, urging tho claims to supremacy of the Pope and of the Catholic Church to the absolute obedience of all Christians. Tlie Anglican Church could neither brook these claims nor stultify itself by withdrawing those solemn, serious protests against false, unscriptural doctrines. Touching the • reunion of other Protestant, churches, while he could not say that any definite advance had been made in this direction, theie was a tendency towards mutual toleration andabettemnderstanding. The Synod decided to send au expression of sympathy to the ancient church of Armenia, and also drafted an addreßS tb the Queen on the subject of the atrocities. CHARGE OP SEDITION! An article which appeared in the Sunday Truth has brought trouble upon those responsible for its appearance. John Norton (editor), Hugh Roberts (printer) and Andrew Thomson (proprietor) have been brought before a magistrate, charged with publishing an article alleged io contain matter warranted to stir up sedition against the Queen. Her Majesty is re-i-arred to as the " scion of a filthy, foulJitiag, mentally and physically, diseasod nm." The articlo abounds with similar 'disgraceful allusions. MELBOURNE, Oct. 4. THE FURNITURE TRADE. The furniture trades representatives have discovered what is considered a serious flaw in the Factories Act. As the .Chineselargely predominate in the cabinetrinaking branch.of the trade, the workers are liable to be completely out-voted in olecting the Wages Board proposed under the measure. A representative of the employers threw a bomb among the assembled delegates by suggesting that unless tlie Europeans took the bull by tho horns and ran the Chinese . into the bay, would it not bo as well to try to induce them to como to the Trades Hall, and become Unionists? Insulted unionism at this rose en masse, and indignantly howled itself hoarse. When order had been restored, the speaker explained that it was merely a suggestion. No one objected to the Chinese more than he. The Celestial was not a nice subjeot, anyhow, lot them deal with him as they might. Cajmed by this admission, the meeting decided to deputationise the Chief Secretary and ask him to prepare n short amending Bill. The Minister admitted that as the Act now stood there would be twenty-eight European factory occupiers with thirty-two votes and fiftynine Chinese occupiers with sixty-six votes, while only two hundred European Operatives were entitled to vote against those three hundred and thirty - six Chinese. Subsequently the Minister introduced an amending Bill on tho lines indicated. ADELAIDE, Oct. 4. LICENSING LEGISLATION. Tlie House has settled down with renewed vigour to tomahawking the Liquor Bill. By 31 to 14 the Government was defeated on a proposal to restrict the Gothenburg system to tho Renmark Settlement. Then/ by 27 to 18 the Gothenburg clause was struck out. Tho clause proposing the registration of all present barmaids with a view henceforward of preventing the employmtnt of any barmaids, was amended by striking out all roferenco'to registration, making tho>debar-mentofbarmaidsnon-operativc till 1899, and tho families of hotclkoopers were exempted from tho clause. Amendments in favour of opening hotels on Sunday afternoons and evenings ancl preventing music in hotel-bars were defeated.