THE COMMONWEALTH.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16161, 15 March 1918, Page 7

THE COMMONWEALTH.

POLITICS IN VICTORIA. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, March 14. The Bowser Government was defeated by 23 votes to 22 on a motion by the Leader of tho Opposition for a nominal reduction of £30 for the railway estimates. Mr Bowser asked for a dissolution, intimating that he would resign in the event of a refusal. DECREASE OF INSANITY. SYDNEY March 14. The annual report of the InspectorGeneral states that tho number of cases of insanity is below the averag*? of tho last 20 years, and is tho lowest since 1912, notwithstanding the stress of war conditions, under which an increase might have been anticipated. STRIKERS TAUGHT A LESSON. SYDNEY, March 14. The Hon. G. W. Fuller claims that during the recent strike the Government was able to administer a lesson which he believed would be productire of much good, and be appreciated ly the workers now. Had there been saner unionism and better relations between employers ami employees there would be better industrial conditions. A MYSTERIOUS DISEASE. SYDNEY. March 14. Scientific investigation of a mysterious disease which is still claiming victims shows that germs, breathed ih and carried by the blood } to tho various organs, especially the brain, burst through tho little blood-vessels, causing local inflammation; but the patient is killed so rapidlv through .:n----terference with the vital centres of the brain that there is not time for *he germ to fully develop. In other areas the disease is very fatal, 90 per cent, of the victims dying. It is confined to two or three months of the year, particularly Junuarv and February. It seldom attacks female, and never adult females. STATE CONTROL UNPROFITABLE. SYDNEY, March 11. A report tabled in the Assembly ravs that, the State Government control -,{ the coal-mines during the strike period entailed a loss of £15,000. WAR LOAN CAMPAIGN. SYDNEY. March 14. The war loan campaign Mill conclude with u ''tank week." STOCKS OF BUTTER. ' MELBOURNE. March 13. A regulation empowers the Commonwealth to requisition stocks of butter pending the formation of a butter pool.

SHIPBUILDING PROGRAMME. MELBOURNE. March 14. The Premier, Mr W. M. Hughes, J.as announced that the Government has settled the terms of au agreement for the construction of six standardised ships of the Isherwood type, at the Walsh Island shipyards.