AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8225, 31 August 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

] j MINERAL PRODUCTS. FACTORIES IN SYDNEY. Received August 30, 9.35 a.m. SYDNEY, August 30. In the Assembly, the Minister of Mines, explaining the Bill to amend and liberalise the mining laws, stated that New South Wales mineral products last year exoeeded seven millions, and gave employment to forty thousand persona. The annual report of the Department of Labour shows that laßt year factories in the metropolitan area increased by 97, and the employees number 49,184, being an increase of 3,519. The males increased by 2,549 and the females by 970. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S LAND POLICY. THE SYDNEY TELEGRAPH'S COMMENTS. Reoeived August 30, 9.36 a.m. SYDNEY, August 30. The Daily Telegraph supposes Sir Joseph Ward's land proposals will mean the final retirement of tbe land companies. JJIt does not matier, says the journal, if they hold freehold, they must sell. The Telegraph asks how this will affect tbe right to foieolose, and says thsfc financial institutions will probably have to look into tbe matter. THE MAIL CONTRACT. SERVICE WITH NEW ZEALAND. NO DIRECT STEAMERS FROM ADELAIDE. Received August 30, 9.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 30.

The Postmaster-General (Mr Austin Chapman) states that there is no chance of the new mail steamers going direct from Adelaide to New Zealand as desired [by the New Zealand Government. The Federal Government, added Mr Chapman, reoe'ved a letter from the contractors after the oonlraol was signed guaranteeing that vessels would go on to Melbourne and Sydney, and there was also reason for saying that Brisbane would also be made a port of call. In any case no contract for the carriage of mails could be male with the Lainiis without the sanction of the Federal Government. WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE BILL THROWN OUT. Received August 30, 9.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, Auguot 30. The Victorian Legislative Council threw out the Woman's Suffrage Bill. TASMANIAN LOCAL OPTION, BILL. Received 30, 9.30 a. to HOBART, August 30. A curious position has arisen in the Assemby in connection with the Local uption Bill. Mr Nioholls, the promoter of the measure, moved its discharge owing to the time limit being extended from six to ten years. 1 The motion to discharge the Bill was negatived by fourteen votes to ten. \ ________ RECIPROCAL TREATY. TABLED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Received AugUßt 31,; 12.51 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 30. The Hon. Hon.! A - Deakin, in tabling the preference agreement with New Zealand in the House of Representatives, said that he had received a cable from Sir J. G. Ward intimating that the new duties had now been given the force of law. The agreement had been referred to the Industry and Commerce Conimiitteo to report within one week. Some of the duties were not altered from the rates already existing, but they were never embodied in an agreement beoausb it was found that both New Zealand and the Commonwealth were unable tc maintain them as they were, except with proportional concessions. The agreement will remain in foroe for three years, and will thereafter continue subject to one year's notice. The agreement will mark a new departure in the history of Australasia. It is proposed to bring together two countries which were naturally united by mans ties and interests. He doubted if any suoh agreement existed in the Empire. The accomplished work was' largely due to the foresight of the late Mr Seddon. He recommended the acoeptanoe of the agreement, and hoped it would lead to a wider extension of commercial relations in different parts of the Empire.

Mr Uoofe asked what leaaoa was there for continuing the Customs barriers against New Zealand. Was it to protect Australia against tbe pauper labour of New Zdaland or from the inferior industrial conditions? There was no reason for interference with trade between Australia and New Zealand. He was sorry to bear that some duties were raised. The aim should be to abolish all duties. He said the Opposition weloomed a freer trade with New Zealand. They would like to see absolute free trade between the two oountries. Way should there not be absolute freedom of oommeroial and industrial relations between New Zealand and Australia. Mr Hutchinson wanted to know why New Zealand, if she wants free trade with Australia, does not aome into the union. Progress was reported.

CABLE NEWS.

By'Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.