AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 14932, 19 July 1912, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Prest Auocintion—By Telegraph— Copyrighi. THE AMERICAN BEEF TRUST. ; MELBOURNE, July 18. The Federal Government are inquiring as to their powers in dealing with the American Beef Trust. Mr Fisher states that the Cabinet is aware of the operations of certain trusts, and is determined to protect legitimate industry. A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY. "SYDNEY,. July 18. At the inquest on the bodies of the victims of the tragedy at Kahibah (near Newcastle) a verdict was returned that Keenan murdered his wife and then committed suicide. The evidence did not dis close any motive. The pair were on good terms, but the husband suffered from pains in the head. A FATAL FIRE. MELBOURNE, July 18. A house has been burned down at Dunnstown. Mrs Clarke and her infant perished in the flames.

FEDERAL POLITICS. .MELBOURNE, July 18. The Federal House of Representatives has carried an amended resolution placing an outside lirrt, except in a few specialised instances, of 65 minutes on members' speeches, and not allowing more than two speeches of 20 minutes each on any one question in commttee. SOUTH AFRICAN PARLIAMENT. ADELAIDE, July 18. Parliament was opened to-day. The Governor's Speech indicated that there would be no fresh taxation this session. The opening of the Federal Savings Bank was characterised as an impudent attack on the States Savings Banks, and it was stated that legislation would be introduced to counter this. Railway extension in various directions was promised. CLEANSING THE FORCE. SYDNEY, July 19. (Received July 19, at 8.35 a.m.) Two members of the city Police Force who were charged with ''graft, - ' have been dismissed. STOWAWAYS' SUFFERINGS. SYDNEY, July 19. Nineteen Chinese stowaways were unearthed on the steamer Empire on her arrival fr.mi China. Th;y were in a starving condition, and weie greatly emaciated. They experienced a terrible time amongst the coal in the icoe.it storm. FUNDS FOR STRIKERS. SYDNEY'. July 19. (Received July 19, at 10.50 a.m.) A cablegram sent to Mr Fisher by the London transport workers \va:. read at a meeting of the Sydney Trades and Labor Council. The message states that the Strike Commit-too had urgent need of funds. It was decided to appeal to the various unions for assistance. The Gorrima! Miners' Lodge decided to contribute 6d each fortnightly for the benefit of the Waihi and Reefton miners. A combined meeting of the Corrimal and Mount Pleasant miners passed a resolution that they were prepared to endorse '.he action of the New Zealand strikers and assist thorn by every possible means in their fight for justice. COMMONWEALTH DEFENCE SCHEME. MELBOURNE. July 19. (Received July 19, at 10.20 a.m.) The Hon. G. F. Fearee, Minister of Defence, referring to Dr Barrett's letter, in which it was stated that the Australian scheme of defence was designed to meet Australian needs, said he had no official cognisance of Lord Roberts's conscription scheme at any time. THE MENACE OF SYNDICALISM. MELBOURNE. July 19. (Received July 19, at 10.20 a.m.) Speaking at the Victorian Railway Union's social, the Hon. W. M. Hughes t-aid syndicalism was a great, danger to unionism, for it was merely anarchy. The foundation of unionism was rule by the majority. Unionism to-day was as near its goal as it ever had been.

MR JOSEPH HATCH. lIOBART, July 19. Mr Joseph Hatch has transferred his headquarters to Hobart, and has purchared i.he brigantine Rachel Cohen, for bringing oil from the Macquarie Islands. A HOSTILE VOTE. PERTH, July 19. The Legislative Council, by 16 votes to 5, carried an amendment to the Address-in-Roply condemning the Government for expending money unconstitutionally without parliamentary authority, and ignoring the Council's right by assuming that the only ratification required was the Asembly vote. (Received July 19, at 11.55 a.m.) The Council, by 10 votes to 7, passed the Address-in-Reply as amended. CANADA AND RECIPROCITY. MELBOURNE, July 19. (Received July 19, at 11.55 a.m.) Disappointment is expressed at Canada's siowness in meeting the Commonwealth's advances in regard to Reciprocity. When asked early this year for a list of items whereon they were prepared to give the best tariff treatment, the Canadian Government replied that Mr Foster would shortly be visiting Australia. Private information has been received that Mr Foster will arrive in April next with the Trade Commission. As the Federal elections will be pending then, negotiations will be greatly hampered.