AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1720, 29 May 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(Per s. s. Mararoa at Auckland.)

(united press association.) Sydney, May 20. The ad valorem duties are being strongly opposed m the Assembly. Last night Sir H. Parkes vigorously denounced the Government policy, and charged Ministers witii being traitors to their professions before.^their, constituents, and almost threatened stoppage of supply m order to compel a dissolution, and appeal to the country on the fiscal proposals. Sir J. Robertson also strongly denounced the ad valorem duties. The Divorce Extension Bill has passed the Council. Several steamers are leaving with passengers for the Kiuiberley goldfields. 1 Ex-Bishops Perry and Marsden, with Bishop Moorhouse, have been appointed to choose a bishop for the vaceiit See of BathureL The Union Steamship Company have purchased the stoamer Tasmania, which has been runniug between Melbourne aud Tasmania. The Lithgow relief fund to date is about £630. : The weather contiuues very dry, aud great complaints are heard from the. Country districts. . . . r Melbourne, May 20. Numbers of miners, and others, are leaviug for the Kimberley goldfields. A meeting of the Committee of the Geographical Society is appointed to meet a like Committee of the Royal Society to ascertain if funds can be raised for tbe prosecution by Mr Forbei of the explorations m New Guinea. Tbe Wesleyan Jubilee Fund amounts to £21,259. The principal objects of the fund a r e the erection of the colleges affiliated to tbe University aud to the liquidation of the church debt. - ■■•■ . Brisbane, May2o. The Special Commission on New Guinea will not permit Brigadier McIvor to proceed to New Guinea to ramsin there three months. The Minis-; terial party has visited Thursday Island and been entertained.