AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1961, 7 June 1880, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Via Bluff ] VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, Juno 1. Tho payment of members question was discussed on the 27th ult,, when Mr Williams moved the formal introduction of the Bill, and proposed to waive any discussion till the second reading. During tho discussion Mr Gillies repeated his former declaration that Mr Service’s Government did not introduce the measure. Mr Service proposed for the 7th Juno a special sitting to dispose of the question, so as not to interfere with the Reform Bill, which tho Government are determined to push on daily during the week. Mr Service stated that he will allow no business to interrupt the progress of this Bill. Mr Williams’s proposal was finally agreed to, and the Bill was introduced. Mr Service promised to consider a proposal to appoint a commission to enquire into the working of the present protective tariff of Victoria. The unemployed are still asking for work but the Government declare they have no more money to spend. On the contrary they are cutting down expenses in every direction, including, probably, extensive reductions in the Navy Department, amounting to £15,000. The Harbour Trust also has discharged a number of labourers at Fisherman’s Bend. Altogether seven hundred unemployed have been set to work by tho present Government. NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, June 1. With reference to a recent telegram from Bombay warning the colonies against the steamer Genii, supposed to bo a fiilibuster, it turns out that the vessel was despatched by the Marquis de Rae, and was bound for New Ireland, where it was intended to establish sugar refinery works, and tho ship had a large quantity of machinery on board. Most persons aboard were soldiers (discharged) with good characters. It is stated that there was very little ammunition or arms in the ship. The laborers have ceased working at Wallsend at the request of the miners. Thirty fresh hands offered to work, but as the 1 number was insufficient the mine was closed. 1 The A. A. Company, however, have deter- i mined to re commence work as soon as pos- ! sible, and a number of laborers’ cottages are 1 being erected. It is stated that many laborers have been taking from £4 to £3 weekly. The 1 miners a second time attempted to per- 1 suade the laborers to cease working, but the manager informed a deputation of laborers ] that he wanted to have nothing to do with them. £ll2O was subscribed from the • Hamilton mines on the 13th, for the miners on strike. This amount represents half the 1 men’s wages. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. ADELAIDE, June 1. ] Parliament was opened on the 27th. The j Governor’s speech congratulated the colony ( on its improved condition, and stated that a ( Bill for importing Indian labor is now under ■ the consideration of the Imperial Governmont, whose despatch on the subject would ( presently be laid before the House. The reports of the Commissioners on , Finance and Public Works will shortly be ( laid before the Parliament. ( Large railway extensions are alluded to, ( specially in the northern direction, and tenders for fresh contracts are called for. The Education Department is now under j direct Ministerial control, and is working satisfactorily. The average of attendance of ( State schools has increased 10 per cent. ( during the year. | The new fortnightly service of the mails ( cannot fail to largely benefit tha colony and , increased facilities for loading and discharging | largo steamers will probably be arranged. Bills are promised for the amendment of j the Constitution, for increasing the members and constituencies of the Council, an Insolvenoy Bill, a Marino Board Bill, a Public Houses Bill, a Married Women’s Property ( Bill, also for taking a census and for ratifying an agreement made by the Government with capitalists for the cultivation of an excessive area in the Northern Territory.