AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 307, 28 June 1898, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(by electric telegraph—COPYßlGHT). NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. Sydney, June 25. The Government opens the election campaign on Monday week. June 27. Parliament will probably close next week. Mr Reid delivers an interim Financial Statement on Tuesday. VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, June 25. The approaching session is likely to be a great one. The Speech from the throne will make reference to the losses by the drought and the necessity for national works to secure the colony against similar losses in future. Agproposal will be made to convert loans amounting to sixteen millions, A Bill will be introduced dealing with female franchise, and one-man-one-vote. A Bill to restrict alien immigration is also promised. THE COAL TRADE. Sydney, June 27. A conference of representatives of the Northern Colliery proprietors and the miners at Newcastle, discussed the question of increasing the selling price of coal, with an advance of the hewing rate. Ten proprietors con sidered that the time had arrived for raising the price to Bs, with a hewing rate of 2s lid. The Conference adjourned for three weeks to endeavour to arrange an agreement. SUPPOSED MURDER AND SUICIDE. Perth, June 27. The bodies of a fireman, named Lancaster and his wife, were found at Karrakatta, with their throats, cut. It is supposed the man murdered his wife and then committed suicide. (Received June 27, 9.48 p.m.). SUDDEN DEATH AT SEA. Sydney, June 27. Capt. Armstrong, of the steamer Aramac, and commodore of the A. W.S.N, fleet, was found dead an hour before the vessel reached Sydney. THE AOTEA AT HOBART. Horart, June 27. The Aotea arrived at noon from London via the Cape, and sails tomorrow afternoon foi Wellington. She brings 12 passengers for Australia and 36 for New Zealand.