AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7973, 26 February 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A CHALLENGE ACCEPTED,

SYDNEY, February 24.

Mr G. H, Reid, Leader of the Federal Opposition, has accepted a challenge from Mr W. A. Holman, a member of the State Assembly, for a public debate on the question of Socialism, with the stipulation that Mr Holman represents the Liabour party.

LIGHT SENTENCES.

SYDNEY, February 24,

At Penrith, George Thomas received sentences of one, two, and three months; respectively, on three charges of obtaining money with intent to defraud. Aooused represented himself as heir to a fortune with an income of four thousand . a year, and on the strength of promises of munificent donations to benevolent societies and other institutions, succeeded in deceiving many influential persons in Sydney and elsewhere. He ohtained considerable Joans, lived lavishly, and victimised hotelkeepers and tradespwope wholesale.

THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

MELBOURNE, February 24.

The Royal Commission nn the Tobacco Industry, in a majority report, finds that there has been a falling off in local factories o??ing to the existence of a "comhine," which has, also, caused a decrease in the locally-grown leaf, reduced wages, and led to the employment of women. The effect an growers -is disastrous, because it has placed tbem at the mercy of one buyer, who has fully used his opportunities.

The Commission recommends that the industry be made a Government monopoly. It estimates that £1,400,000 per annum will be obtained Jn duties. It further recommends that the matter be submitted to a referendum of the electors.

Senator Grey, in a minority report, says that the evidence heard by the Commission, rather than justifying State monopoly, was entirely against it. Ho denies that the combine has a monopoly, and still less that it is injurious to trade. He oonsiders the figures of his colleagues in regard to estimated profits «;c be entirely fallacious.

THE VANCOUVER MAIL CON-

TRACT

Received February 26, 12.28 a.m SYDNEY, Februaiy .25.

It having been asserted that an arrangement has boeu made to renew the Vancouver mail contract with New Zealand as a partner, Mr James Mills states that, taking Sir Joseph Ward's presence in Melbourne as opportune, he (Mr Mills) inter viewed the Hon. Alfred Doakin and the Federal Postmaster on the sub jeot, but nothing resulted to lead to the anticipation that New Zealand would be joined as a partner. The matter, however, is still receiving the consideration of the Federal Government.