AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1475, 6 February 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

CABLEGRAMS.

\ft |PEU CBITED PKKSS ASSOCIATION] ''-[by ELECTRIC TEI.KGB»?H —COPyWOHT]

THE LABOUR CONFERENCE. Sydney, February i>. Tho Labour Conference severely commented on the utterances of Justices Pring and Rogers while adjudicating in recent chsps, wherein tbey took occasion to condemn the Shearers' Union strike tactics. The conference adopted a resolution for presentation to the Attorney-General, declaring the remarks constituted unwarranted attacks upon the trades union aud showed bins unbecoming the judicial bench, and asking in the interests of justice that the judges be called upon for official explanations. The Labour Conference has closed. The conference adopted a resolution condemning the addition of the title ' Lord ' to tho mayoralty as another link in the chain of objectionable Imperialism, and in every way opposed to the best interests of the community. A FEMALE BURGLAR. Melbourne, February 5. A fashionably - dressed woman, named Kate Porter, was committed for trial on a charge of house-break-ing, and on a second charge of stealing from a dwelling. The arrest was the outcomo of numerous robberies in the suburbs. Several instances where she had been discovered on the premises showed that drawers had been hastily opened and valuables taken. The accused innocently explained that she was under tho impression she was in the house of a friend, upon whom she was playing a practical joke, and pretended to bo a burglar. She showed great distross. and profusely apologised on being informed of the mistake in supposing that it was a friend's house, and allowed to depart. STOCK RETURNS. Sydney, February 4. The progress report of the stock returns to tho end of last year gives some idea of tho disastrous results of the drought. Singleton and the Cooma districts have not yet supplied returns, but the final figures will not be largely altered. The number of sheep is stated to be 24,476,000, n decrease of 17,351,000 as compared ■with the previous year; cattle, 1,490,000, a decrease of SOS,OOO ; horses, 393,654, a decrease of 61,476. In 1891 there were 61,831.000 sheep, and since then there has been a steady yearly decrease. QUEENSLAND AND FEDERATION. Brisbane, February 5. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce the members hotly condemned the Federal tariff, aud what was termed Mr Kingston's brutal and insulting administration of tho Customs Department. In order to show their disgust it was decided to ignore Mr Kingston's visit to Brisbane. GOLD YIELD. Perth, February 4. Tho State's gold yield for January was 210,4500 z., a record month. Last year's total yield was just over two million ounces, Kalgoorlie contributing about half. Out of this dividends were paid representing £1,214,000. VICTORIAN LEGISLATURE. Melbourne, February 5. The Legislative Council struck out of the Reform Bill the clause providing for the dissolution of the Council when the bill became law, and carried an amendment fixing the number of members at 42 instead of 26.

TRAGEDY IN A VINEYARD. Peeth, February 5. A Frenchman named Maillot, after purchasing wine at Mr Lauffet's vineyards, began to destroy the fruit. When Lauifer remonstrated, Maillot Bhot him dead. THE TASMANIAN CABLE. Melbouenb, February o. It is now stated that the amount asked for the Tasmanian cable is £70,000 :