AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 420, 1 September 1877, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Per s.s. Wakatipu at Wellington.] The news per Wakatipu is unimportant. Sydney, August 24. There is no further information respecting the falling in of the coal mine at Newcastle. From Adelaide it is reported that the crops in the northern districts look splendid. Melbourne, August 24. In the Legislative Assembly Mr. Berry said the effect of the import duty on stock would be to reduce the price of meat. He repudiated the idea of a desire to ferment intercolonial jealousies, and declared that protection and protection alone would lead to a federation. Other countries had united under the apprehension of invasion ; but on the basis of commercial aggression, the Colonies would unite, and he hoped to live long enough to carry the war into New South Wales, and make that Colony as thoroughly protective as Victoria. The policy would then rapidly spread to Queensland and South Australia. The Colonies would then have a foundation for federation, and for a prosperity second to none in the world. At a caucus of Government supporters, it was decided that payment of members is not necessary for the maintenance of the political rights of the people. The trustees of the Public Library have purchased Mr. Wood's statue of Daphne for 10.000 guineas. A private telegram from London says the wool sales continue animated, and prices as high as at any period of lassales. Large sales of rum have taken place at at 3s. to 3s. 11-J-d.