AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11939, 24 March 1894, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

I — • — *- [By Electric Telegram— Coi-yrioht.] [Per Pbess Association.] Sydney, March 22. Me Price Williams, the railway expert, is negotiating with the Government for the construction of light railways to dovolope the resources of the colony somewhat on the lines of the land grant for railways combined with village settlements, but the scheme does not involve the alienation from the crown lands or expenditure of public money. Ho suggests that the projected railway should be placed in the hands of a trust for twenty-one years after construction, bo that the expenditure may be recouped by a sinking fund establised for the extinction in that time of the cost of construction. The Premier, in introducing the appropri ition Bill, assured the House that he ■vould not prolong the life of Parliament more than necessary. Ho explained that it still required a couple of months to complete the electoral machinery. Mr. Reid accepted the Premier's assurance. Melbourne, March 22. The Banks have reduced the rate of interest to two, three, and four per cent, for three, six, and twelve mouths deposits, The fiour millers have decided to have freedom of contract and make the mills non-union. They will ouly employ Free Labour. The acting President of the Employers Union, anticipates stress of circumstances will necessitate at some time or other reduction in the rate of wages. He declared the ruleß of the Employers' Union required revising in order to provide assistance to employers in the event of a struggle between labour and capital. Another subject, he said, calling for attention was federation versus union of the colonies. Adelaide, March 21. The police have arrested 26 of the unemployed, who persisted in camping in the Botanic Park on a charge of illegally being there.