AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1595, 30 December 1885, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(electric telegraph. — copyright.) (reuter's telegrams.) Melbourne, Monday. The Ministerial changes foreshadowed by the Argus are fully confirmed to-day. Messrs Service and Berry will retire after the conclusion of the Federal Council, which is expected to finish its work by the 20th February. Mr Service proceeds to England for two years. The appointment of Mr Berry as Agent-General will probably be gazetted to-da3 r . There is no change to report m the dispute between the wharf laborers and the masters, as owing to the holidays the differences have remained m abeyance. Adelaide, Moudav. The following Mauritius items are taken from Messrs Ireland, Fraser and Co.'s circular of December 9th, to hand per Messageries steamer Sydney : The sugar crop is reported to be much smaller than that of last year. The decrease being at lea-t 25,000 tons. Freights to Australia are 15s, and to New Zealand, 255. Exchange 60 daya bank credits, New Zealand 31 per cent ; Australia j 90£ per cent. There are no clearances or engagements reported for New Zealand. Sydney, Monday. Sir John Robertson has issued a political manifesto which refers principally to the Land Act of New South Wales, and it indicates amendments that it is considered desirable to introduce into the measure. These alterations Sir John Robertson sayg would largely assist the financial arrangements of the colony. It is also the intention of the Government to take the earliest opportunity of proposing- to Parliament other measures for uioeting the deficiency m the revenue, and p'aciug the finances of the country on a sound basis.

Albany, Tuesday. The Valetta arrived last night with the London mails to November 27th.