AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 509, 23 August 1902, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

By Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright Sydney, Aug. 22.

The Premier states he has no present intention to retrench the salaries of Civil servants, but will make no increases. The Government will strictly economise. The Mount Kembla inquest is proceeding. One of the mine deputy managers gave evidence that all the working places were examined on the morning of tiie explosion, and the report was made that’ all was safe. Seven days before the disaster they discovered black damp in abandoned workings, but did not report it. In the Assembly Mr Ashton carried the suspension of the Standing orders, and moved in favor of the importation of fodder through the agency of the Government. A long debate ensued, and the motion was negatived by 51 to 31. A preliminary meeting of employers has been held with the view of forming a federation to fight against democratic legislation on similar lines to that of New Zealand. The Hospital Saturday Committee make a general appeal to the public tomorrow in aid of the Mount Kembla Fund. In reply to a communication from the Premier, with theobject ofascortaining the views of the other States in regard to the suspension of the fodder duties, the Premiers of South Australia and Tasmania have expressed the opinion that it would be a dangerous precedent. Melbourne, Aug. 22. SirW. Lyne announced in the Federal Assembly that the military estimates show a reduction of 1.150,000, compared with last year’s. Twenty-five Drayton Grange invalids

have been discharged from hospital. The Bishopric of Melbourne has been offered to Dr Lang, suffragan Bishop of Stepney. The Senate negatived a clause inserted by the House in the Electoral Bill ; declaring that State members were capable of nomination for the Federal House. The question of suspension of the fodder duties was again discussed in the House. Mr Deakin said it rested with the States to take action ; the Federal Government would take none. The report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the West Australian pearling industry is to the effect that it is practically impossible to carry on without black labor. Brisbane, Aug. 22, The Premier declares that if the Federal Government, despite Judge Dashwood’s report on pearl-shelling, persists in its policy, the industry will either be ruined or transferred to Dutcn territory. Fremantle, Aug, 22. Fremantle has been declared free from pi ague.