Australian Cables

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 April 1913, Page 3

Australian Cables

'R7 EI-HOTR?" TBr.FOEAPir—ruv-CJCTT I [PHlt pm£«B ASSOCIATION ] (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) EMPIRE DEFENCE. SOME NOTAHLE SPEECHES. MELBOURNE, This Day. At the dinner in honour of the officers and men of the New Zealand the Hon. Mr Hughes stated that he was a member of a party that dearly loved peace, but tho "day when peace could be looked upon as secured was not yefc; therelore theie was only one tiling to do and we were doing it — Australia and the Commonwealth of New Zealand. lo be relying solely upon the brotherhood of man would be about as valuable as a silk umbrella would be to protect us from schrapnel. We bad to take an active part in the defence of the Empire.

Commander Halsey declared that when in the future any foreign nation came to weigh up England s chance of defending herself the dominions would have to go into the scale, and they would carry down the whole weight and cause the foreigner to think better.

The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher said they could not expect for one moment to hold what already they hud without a common effort on the part of the Empire to make itself so impregnable that war would be so fearsome a thing that an enemy would not attempt it. Touching ou reciprocity, he declared that he had come over to do something which should be delightful to the Commonwealth ministers: to form a Trades Union.

The Hon. Mr./Rliodos. in responding to the toast of ''The Chairman.''

said the balance would be shifting when t-Tie Panama Canal was opened ; it might, bo that the equilibrium would be so upset that in the Pacific the decisive battle of the Empire would be foncrht ; and if so there would be a wide field indeed open upon them —perhaps too wi' 1 " for the present peoples—hut not too wide for the potential possibilities of Canada. Australia and New Zealand.

(Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Obituaries: Lady Manning; Signor Riccartli, a prominent musical teacher; A. A. Danger, a noted stock breeder and philanthropist. His gifts included CIO,OOO to the Dreadnought fund and £25,000 to build an Anglican Church at Singleton. The second annual report of the Greater J. D. AYiliiams Company shows a net profit, after deducting all charges and doubtful debts, of £22,084. From this £.13,537 is doducted to pay an interim dividend in August, leaving a balance of C9IIG. It is proposed to transfer £(5000 to the reserve, provide an additional £500 for doubtful debts, and carry forward the balance of £2.640 to tho reserve, which is now £10,000. The directors are optimistic as to the future, and look forward with confidence to the resumption of dividends as soon as returns are forthcoming from the company's interests in the, amalgamated concerns. Tho Government's offer of a Royal Commission to inquire into the railway strike includes the immediate resumption of work. The Hon. Mr ! Carmichael is hopeful that the men's

meeting to-day will accept these conditions. Judge Piddington, who

recently resigned from the High Court judgeship, will be the commissioner.

The .strikers have decided to permit milk supplies to pass through Darling Harbour without interference, so that the requirements of children and invalids will be met. Now that shunters and other guards arc out, practically . the whole of the good-s traffic of the State is held up. Tho parcels men at the Central Railway Station signed off yesternight and did not start this morning. Timber yards and other industries are beginning to feel tho nip and are shortening hands. The Northern miners are considering tho proprietors' proposals and probably a decision will bo come to to-day. The outlook is uncertain. The South Coast miners' strike is entering on its fourth week, and apparently is no nearer settlement. Trade is paralysed. Many miners have left or are leaving the district." Tho Broken Hill unions have refused the Tramway Company's offer .to run a provision train from Cockburn. A heavy gale, with rain, continues in Sydney. Arrived—Kaitangata, from Westport. ADELAIDE, This Day. Sailed—Jessie Craig, for New Zealand.

METjBOTTRNE, This Day. At the University Commemoration tlio Governor urged the Commonwealth to send an expedition to bring hack Dr. Mawson before next whiter.