CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2052, 12 April 1907, Page 2

CABLES.

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTRIOHT. LONDON, April 10. A further discovery of 21,000 Mauser and pistol cartridges lias been made at Newcastle. Tim Daily Mail states that the Marylebono Cricket Club agreed to send a team in September, provided Ihe Australian Board guarantee against financial loss. Jackson ■>* mentioned as the possible captain. OTTAWA, April 10. The Canadian House of Commons rejected a motion to discontinue bonuses to immigrants. Mr. Oliver, Minister of the Interior, said Die diseonuanee would prove detrimental to British immigrants, whom Canada preferred. ’ PERTH, April HA shock of earthquake occurred here yesterday. ’ ’ SYDNEY, April 11Twelve hundred tons of coal took fire at North Sydney gasworks this morning. The fire is supposed to have been caused by the generation of gas in the mass of coal. The fire is now under control. A fireman was seriously injured by falling 25 feet. The Premiers’ Conference meets at Brisbane on May 28th. A case of plague has occurred at Waterloo. The victim is a son of a man who recently died of the complaint. A plague rat was found on a steamer trading to the Northern river. An experiment shipment oL_ J* million feet of Japanese timber has arrived. Other shipments follow. Ben Tillet, the English labor leader, left England at the end of March for Sydney. Received 11.35 p.m., April 11. SYDNEY, April 11.

An influential deputation waited on the Acting Premier and asked for legislative action to put a stop to tho coupon system, which was detrimental to trade. The State Minister promised to refer the matter to tho Cabinet * A cable from London recently announced that a new line of monthly •steamers under the name of the Alliance line was about to start. News by mail indicates that the line is in opposition to the Australian shipping ring. Received 11.51 p.m., April 11. NEWCASTLE, April 11. Sailed, Kaitanga for Lyttelton. MELBOURNE, April 11.

The steamer Invertay narrowly escaped destruction on the voyage from Adelaide. The cross bunker took fire, and burnt for a couple of hours before the crew succeeded in extinguishing it. Hides are very firm. The catalogue was cleaned in sellers’ favo'* ADELAIDE, April 11.

Two cyclists, Warren and Lonnie, have ridden from Perth. They suffered somo hat from thirst an i h 1 n ror They left Perth on p.bn.arv 2t and proceeded to Sydney. FREMANTLE, April 11.

Arrived, Ortona. New Zealand passengers: Messrs. Naps, Taylor, McLean, Johnston, Todd, Crodock (2), Cooper, Mesdames France, McDonald, Smith, Johnston, Todd, Couper, Misses Johnston (2), Todd (2), Inglis, and Hutchinson.

AN ASSASSINATION.

MURDER OF SIGNOR BARRILLES.

NEW YORK, April 10. Signor Barrilles, ex-President of the Guatemalan House of Representatives, was murdered with a dagger in a tramcar. His assassin was arrested. [Tho assassin was a youth of 18.]

LABOR TROUBLES.

5000 MEN DISCHARGED,

ST. PETERSBURG, April 10.

The Briansk, ironworks at Ekaterino and Slav are -closing, throwing 5000 men idle. Much disorder has ensued blithe announcement,' and troojis surround the works. Many arrests have been made.

SHIPPING CASUALTIES.

ADELAIDE, April 11

The steamer Alabama, oil laden from Sumatra, had a narrow escape from destruction by fire whilst abreast of Java. Two of the Chinese crew, without orders, entered the forepeak with a naked light. A terrible explosion of naphtha gas followed, causing a lire, which was only prevented from reaching the bold where the benzine was stored by vigorous measures of tlio crew. The Chinese who were responsible for the mishap were shockingly burnt and died.

There is little doubt the fishing cutter Wanderer has been lost off Kangaroo Island, with three hands. PERTH, April 11. Tlio schooner Harriet Constance, with five hands, which left Fornscue for Cassack on March 8, is missing. HOBART, April 11. The Now Zealand Shipping Co.’s s.s. Papnroa encountered a hurricane during the voyage from London. The passengers had to be battened down. One of the stewards died last night.

NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

LONDON, April 10. Sir AY. Lyne thought the previous resolutions secured lor Australians "hat they wanted. Ship owners contended that for efficient manning and seaworthiness every ship ought to be judged on its own merits. Air. George’s suggestion that Air. Hughes’ motion be amended on tile lines of the clause of the original Commonwealth Bill, that no ship be deemed seaworthy unless in an efficient state regarding the number and qualifications of tlie crow, including officers, to encounter the ordinary peri Is of the voyage, was then carried.

Sir Joseph Ward moved recommending the Board of Trade in any amending Shipping Act to give masters, mates, and engineers the designation of officers without prejudice to my rights they enjoy as seamen; This was unanimously carried. Sir AY. Lyne moved that every possible encouragement be given by legislation or otherwise to the employment of British seamen ill British ships in preference to foreigners. Air. Lloyd George suggested it would be better to omit the last four words, since they involved an international question. The suggestion was accepted, and the resolution was carried with the addition of tlio words “The resolution does not contemplate the imposition of restrictive conditions.”

Air. Hughes insisted oil a clear understanding that the Commonwealth had right to make such rest! ictions as Parliament thought fit to all ships registered in or trading within the Commonwealth, whose jurisdiction was not limited. Air Lloyd George thought- the resolution only implied possible Imperial action to 'enlarge the employment of seamen by means ol' subsidies and incentives to shipowners to employ apprentices.

Sir Joseph AA’ard’s motion, asking the Board of Trade to publish the form of a bill of lading safeguarding the rights of shippers, shipowners, and consignees, was carried. Air. ‘ Hill’s amendment that legislation restricting the liberty of contract on charter parties and bills of lading was unnecessary and undesirable, was defeated on the vote, the Imperial delegates abstaining from voting.

THE WHITE LABOR QUESTION. Received 9.40 p.m., April 11. LONDON, April 11. Tho Navigation Conference considered tho international conventions adopted at Brussels in 1905, for the unification of the law regarding collisions and salvage. The subject was adjourned to enable Sir \I llham By no and Sir Joseph Ward to submit suggestions, the Hmpona l Go-ve-nment having withheld adiUMoii until the colonies have been consult-

Mr. Belcher moved that tho Conference was opposed to the employment of Lascars, coolies, and Chinamen, or persons of any alien race, on any vessel owned or chartered to trade with the Commonwealth and New Zealand. His aim was to keep the Asiatic blot off Australia. Sir James Mackny on behalf of the India Office, explained that it was impossible to consider legislation excluding Lascars from the British Mercantile Marine. It was a great reflection on hundreds of millinos of loyal, sober, industrious British subjects. H the proposal wore stopped it would place Australian vessels trading with India and the East under serious disabilities. Sir William Lyno supported the motion, urging that the stoking difficulty was exaggerated. What white stokers of the navy had accomplished in the tropics, others would do on trading vessels. . Sir Joseph Ward believed that it was to the best interests of the Empire to employ white crews. Tho Government of New Zealand would never subsidise steamers carrying other than whites. He eulogised the Union Co.’s spontaneous response to the New Zealand law. Mr. Hughes said that at any rate the objection of the India Office did not apply to Chinese and other coloured aliens. Mr. Cox (Colonial Office) recalled Mr. Chamberlain’s despatch, protesting against the colour line, and suggesting other means of attaining 1 the end desired. Mr. Hughes retorted that the imposition of a general education test had created the calumny that Australia wished to exclude whites. Mr. Hughes objected to any discrimination regarding accommodation and general conditions between colonial and white seamen. Though the Conference was not unfavorable to this tile Imperial delegates objected, and the suggestios was not passed. Mr. Belcher suggested that the proposer substitute “coloured labor” instead of “Lascars, Coolies and Chinamen.” Ultimately the motios was withdrawn.

Sir Joseph Ward’s motion urging the Board of Trade to give immediate cossideration to the improvemest of eyesight tests was carried; also Mr. Anderson’s motion, making the Board of Trade’ current certificate of efficiency in compasses equivalent to a local certificate. Mr. Belcher moved that the Board of Trade be requested to legislate whereby all seamen he paid the full wages due at any port the crew desire.

It was agreed to substitute “twothirds” for “full” wages. Sir William Lyne supported the motion. Mr. George moved that the Conference approve of the provisions of the Merchants’ Shipping Act, 1906, respecting the allotment and payment of seamen’s wages. The Imperial delegates, representatives of British Shipowners and Seamen and Mr. Thomson voted for the amendment. The Colonial delegates, excepting Mr. Thomson, dissented from the amendment and accepted Mr. Belcher’s motion. Mr. Belcher moved that the Board of Trade investigate the clauses attached by shipowners to articles and agreements signed by crews, his object being to secure uniformity and establish a principle of equity between employer and employed. The Imperial shipping and seamen’s delegates expressed themselves satisfied with the present law. The motion was withdrawn. The Conference adjourned until Monday week. Sir William Lyno declares that he is absolutely satisfied, that he got more than ho expected, and practically secured all that he required.

COLONIAL PREMIERS IN LONDON.

Received 9.42 p.m., April 11. LONDON, April 11,

The University of Edinburgh confer tile freedom of the city on the Premiers.

Mr. AA . R. Reeves (High Commissioner for New Zealand) and Airs. Reeves, on behalf of the New Zealand Association, gave a reception to Sir Joseph and Lady AA'ard. There were 250 present. The AVards attended the Jewish wedding of AJlr Aloss Davis’s daughter Ruby to Mr. Harris, of London. Many New Zealanders, including Air Fitchett, were present at the reception. Sir Joseph AA’ard, proposing the health of the bride, announced the receipt of a great number of Auckland felicitations. He hoped tlio marriage of an esteemed New Zealander to a Londoner was emblematic of closer political union. The AA’ards dine on Tuesday with the Prince and Princess of AA’ales. Sir Howard A' incent entertained at luncheon members of the House of Commons, Sir Joseph AA’ard, Sir AA'illiam Lyne, and many Alinisters. Air Deakin was unable to be present.

Air. Deakin is inundated with requests from Tariff Reform Associations and sympathisers, urging him to strongly advocate preference. The Premiers discussed with Lord Elgin the methods of procedure with a view to economise time. They expressed a strong opinion that the Conference was of sufficient importance to justify Sir 11. Campbell Bannerinan’s presiding, or at any rate opening ,it. It is almost certain that Sir 11. Campbell Baiinerman will agree to tlio Premiers’ proposal. In ilic interview with Sir H. Campbell Banncrmaii some of the Premiers desire the press to be admitted. Tlie British Government is unlikely to acquiesce.

Sir H. Campbell Baiinerman, after a short stay at Cannes, lias returned to London.

THE THAW TRIAL.

JURY UNABLE TO AGREE. Received 10.30 p.m., April’ll. NEAA’ YORK, April 10. Air. Jerome contended that of scores of AA’hito’s letters to Airs. Thaw prior to marriage in the possession of tlie defence, not one had been produced in Court. There was no evidence that they contained a,. ~- tliing that was bad. Proceeding to contrast this with the undefensible contents of one of Thaw’s letters to her in 1903, he next ridiculed the socalled “dementia amerieana”—a term coined by Mr. Delmas to designate insanity—as an extravagant regard for sanity of t-lio home. Such dementia, whatever its status in California, was unknown on tlio Atlantic seaboard. It was cowardice that made Thaw withhold liis “dementia amerieana” three years before taking vengeance. The ease embodied all tlio elements of vulgar, every-day homicide.

Judge Fitzgerald, in summing up, remarked that no matter how bad a man was ho was entitled to tlie protection of the law. Ho concluded by placing the burden of proof regaiding Thaw’s insanity on tlio defence. Mo added that irresistible impulses had no place in the law. 4 The jury wero unable to agreOj and were locked up for the night.