AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8114, 7 April 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

I CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE | CONFERENCE. I RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED, Received April 6, ltf.il a.m. PERTH, April 6. The Chambers of Commerce Conference has concluded. Resolutions were adopted favouring the early appointment of a High Commissioner, urging on the Federal Government the necessity of the application of business methods in the conduct of the agency of the Pacific cable, and of equalising facilities with competing cable lines, and condemning the establishment of a Commonwealth fleet of steamers and the proposbd toll on telephone charges. the labour party, mr watson's demands. Received April 6, 9.40 a.m. SYDNEY, April 6. Mr Reid, ex-Federal Premier, compares the demands made by Mr Watson, in his speeoh at North Sydney, to a pistol held at Mr Deakin'a head. PROGRESS OF VICTORIA. LAND SETTLEMENT. Received April 6, 9.40 a.m. SYDNEY, April 6. The Hon. Mr Bent, Premier of Victoria, in an interview, expressed, himself highly gratified at the progress of laud settlement in the State. Land to the value of a million and a quarter had been secured, and nearly every allotment taken up. Arrears under the Credit Fonder system were less than a thousand pounds, and there were no arrears under the closer settlement conditions. Mr Bent was well pleased with Lhe sucoess of the loan issued locally by Victoria. The State Govnernment proposed to take powers for allowing the sale of debentures at any time. The railways, he declared, were now paying handsomely.

THE NEWHEBRIDES. Received April 6, 10.3 a.m. MELBOURNE, April 6. The Board of Directors of the Australian Natives' Association has adopted a resolution expressing alarm at tbe statements in the French newspapers regarding tbe New Hebrides, and urging tbe Commonwealth Government to impress on tbe Imperial (Government the necessity of safeguarding Australian interests in the Islands. EASTERN EXTENSION COMPANY. Received April 6, 9.7 a.m. SIDNEY, April 6. The action of the postal authorities in connection with tbe Eastern Extension business in Melbourne will not affeofc business between the other States, the company's line running direct from Adelaide to Sydney without tauohing Victorian territory. Received April 7, 12.4 a.m. LONDON, April 6. Consequent on the Eastern Extension Oumpany's rejection of tbe Senate's amendment to the agreement, the Pacific) Cable Board me* and sent a strong representation to the | Commonwealth.