LATE CABLE NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 351, 27 February 1902, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Feb. 2<i. A conference of friendly societies re-lrc-senting the adhesion of six million members adopted the scheme cabled on December 27th. There will he four hundred thousand recipients, costing six millions annually. Mr Forster, in the course of the navy debate, said that the colonial renrcsentatives at the Coronation would he consulted regarding a proposal that the colonies should make some contribution to the navy. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach said that- Government were not approaching the colonies as a beggar, but desired that proportionately to their resource they should share the burden of the Empire.

The arrivals of wool to dale are : 25 ’ ,059 bales ; forwarded to manufactiii ing centres, 103,000 ; available for next sales, 103,000. BRISBANE, Feb. 26. The Premier in a speech at Townsville, said Queensland was as sound inar,ciallv as any of the other States. They intended to reduce the number of members and Ministers ; also to reduce the salaries of Ministers and members. Government intended to economise in every possible way. They might have to ’impose an income tax. The Electoral Bill, he said, was one of tlie most progressive measures introduced in Australia. Provision had beet made to record the votes of the icating population. Queensland, he said, was not being fairly treated by tire Federal Parliament. lie hoped n time Queensland would send better members to Melbourne who would do more for the colony, It would have been belter if they had not entered Federation, but should now make the lest of it.