AUSTRALIAN CABLE NEWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 December 1901, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN CABLE NEWS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.]

Federal Politics. Beceived this day, at 9 49. Sydney, Dec 18. In the Assembly, the Treasurer carried a Bill relieving him of the payment of this year's annual instalment of £250,000 from the consolidated revenue towards wiping out the accumulated deficit, and fixing next year's instalment at £IOO,OOO. Waddell explained that the Federal tariff charges, and the extra charge which had arisen in connection with the plague, Royal visit, and Commonwealth celebrations, had rendered it impossible to meet these instalments. The Opposition strongly attacked the Government for going back with obligaand eitravagance. The Treasurer tabled the loan ostimates totalling £2,997,000, the railway and tramway service accounting for more than half. Destruction of Rats. Mblboubnk, Dec 13. The Metropolitan Municipalities are taking concerted action in the destruction of rats by the bonus system. Oversea Steamers. Adklaidb, Dec 13. Tronble has arisen in connection with the breaking of the seals stores of the steamers "Prince Begent" "Luitpold" and the "Ortona." The Ortona is detained pending decision of the Federal Customs authorities. The oase of the "Luitpcld." will be dealt with on reaching Melbourne.