Various Cabled Items.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3495, 11 March 1905, Page 2

Various Cabled Items.

A MEAT FRAUD. London, March 9. A contractor named Cradock was fined £%o and thirty guineas cost for false trade description. Defendant had supplied Australian lambs, branded “ New Zealand,” to fill contracts wherein the supply of New Zealand lamb was specified. The prosecution was taken at the instigation of the London County Council, in conjunc* tion with Mr W. P. Kcsves, Agent* General for New Zealand. AUSTRALIA AND SOCIALISM. Svdney, .March g. Mr Reid, replying to the press critics of his attitude towards Social* ism and the statement that he’ was opposed to unnecessary martyrdom, says “ I should be simply blind to the situation if I did not consider it my highest duty to endeavour to con* solidate the forces which .are to be arrayed against the Socialistic force* of the Labour Party and the Labour leagues. I stand at the bead of Z series of disunited forces to engage In a political combat with highly organised highly disciplined, enthusiastic, solid opponents. I intend to sail under no false colours and am just as much against political influence used by the Employers Federation for their own purposes, in politics, ns against the Labour Leagues’ attempt to use in* fluence in politics for their own personal ends. I stand for what should be the democratic ideal, which is to act in fairness and justness to every class and prevent any one class asserting a pernicious supremacy over the legislative and administrative power of Commonwealth.” Mr Reid says the time is not ripe for an attack on the Socialist Party. He will keep Parliament busy with important noncontentious measures and meantime, □reparations for the struggle will be pushed forward. He will submit a -straight, fearless manifesto at the general elections. FRIGHTFUL PLAGUE MORTALITY. Catcutta, Match xo. Thirly-foiir thousand deaths from plague occurred in India in a week. Brisbane, March 10. Another case of has occurred at Brisbane. FIRE ON A STEAMER. Melbourne, March g. The Union Company’s steamer Warrimoo, which left Melbourne yesterday for Hobart and New Zealand, was found to be oil fire at 10.30 last night, when eight miles off Cape Schack (about twenty miles from the harbour entrance.) The crew were immediately called to quarters, and the boats were swung up and provisioned. The fire was in the centre of the fore compartment, adjacent to a large lot of kerosene, There were also five hundred cases of kerosene and naphthene stored on deck. Immediately the outbreak was located, water was liberally pumped on, and the deck cargo jettisoned. Captain Neville decided to return to Melbourne, as there was danger of the kerosene becoming ignited and exploding, and then sent up distress signals, which were answered by the pilot steamer, but just before the tugs sent to the vessel’s assistance reached her, the fire was overcome, and the vessel reached the wharf without mrlher inciaent. MINOR MATTERS EPITOMISED; . An epidemic of dengue fever is disorganising the public service la Brisbane, A fleet of Chinese trading boat* caught fire at Wachow, 300 of those on board being killed. The Methodist Conference, at Sydney, has resolved against the employment of barmaids.' The Kaiser has withdrawn four warships from foreign stations which increases the home fleet to twelve battleships, similar to Great Britain's home fleet. The appeal of a Lascar seaman against a recent conviction of smuggling by bringing a walking stick ashore at Sydney, from a steamer, was dismissed. Mr. Malcomson, a former resident of West Australia, in a letter to the “Times,” declares the Westralian laws not -only permit the enslavement of aborigines but compel it, He makes other very strong allegations. Professor Agassiz reports that his mrveying expedition to the South Seas successfully carried out its chief objects—to take deep sea soundings and determine the age and origin of the ancient statuary on Eastern island. Two officials at the Mossman -sugar mills (Queensland) have discovered a method of clarifying sugar which, it is believed, will revolutionise the trade. It is claimed that sugar-mills producing raw sugar will be able to produce an artice equal to refined sugar. The process is a secret,