Australian News.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8198, 26 May 1906, Page 5

Australian News.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Per Press Association.) BRISBANE, May 25. The Employers' Conference adopted a resolution that claimants under the Workmen's Compensation Act, having once exercised their choice of remedies shall have no further right of action. SYDNEY, May 25. At the meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of New South Wales, the report adopted showed that the net profits for the half-year were £129,305, whereto was added £18,200, the balance from the last half-year. A dividend at the rate of 10 per centum per annum was declared, and £25,000 added to the reserve, while ;£22,618 was carried forward. Mr Riley, employees' representative, dissenting from the decision of the Arbitration Court, said he would use his best efforts to have the Act repealed. Evidently it was not capable of doing the work for which it was passed. At the A.M.P. annual meeting a highly satisfactory report showed that the accumulated funds had increased to £21,423,000, while the bonus average was about the same as last year. The chairman mentioned that amongst the causes which had contributed to the year's success, was the disclosures in connection with certain American societies, which had the effect of minimising their competition... The satisfactory acquisition of new business and the success of the year's operations, instead of being arguments against the extension to Great Britain, was a practical indication that they had chosen the psychological moment for departure. Mr Duncan reported that new business in New Zealand showed a slight increase on the previous year, though it was daily becoming more difficult to maintain the flow of new business there owing to keenness of competition, the competitors being prepared to pay more to get it than the head office considered right in their case. The report was adopted. Arrived, 8 p.m.—Zealandia. Excepting that the barque Yincennes has been driven a little nearer the shore and has settled more, her position is unchanged. The attempt at high water to tow her off tailed. (Received May 26, at 9.31 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. A Tokio firm has opened a depo, for the sale of Australian meat. Speaking at a complimentary harbour excursion to the officers of the Japanese squadron, the Consul said it was not natural for antipathies to exist between two races. If they did exist they had been manufactured by misrepresentations appealing to ignorance. He compared the generous spirit shown by the Australian people wiih the acdon of the Federal Parliament in declaring the Japanese undesirable immigrants. Admiral Shimamura declared he was delighted with the popularity of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty in Australia. Received May 26, at 9.40 a.m. SYDNEY, May 26. It is alleged that when the Yincennes was making the heads she sighted a light similar to a lightship, and also lights to the starboard. The captain, who was making his first visit to Sydney, steered between the two. Another explanation is that the vessel was on her right course, but the gale rendered her uncontrollable.