AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 114, 6 July 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Received 6, 8.55 a.m.) Sydney, July 6. The “Herald” states that a crisis is imminent in the State Labour Party over the question of freehold land tenure. The Minister of Lands is likely to resign, owing to a caucus decision not to proceed with the repeal of the Conversion Act. About one-third of the party have threatened to break away if an attempt is made to abolish the freehold. (Received 6, 9.35 a.m.) Sydney, July 6. In the Assembly, Mr Holman, in moving the second reading of the Criminal Appeal Bill, said the main features followed the recently-passed English law. The Bill provides, among other things, that the Supreme Court Bench shall be saddled with the responsibiltiy of deciding whether death sentences shall be carried out. Mr Wade strongly opposed the lastnamed provision as likely to drag Judges'auto a position which might involve them ,in conflict with public opinion. (Received 6, 8.5 a.m.) , Sydney, July 6. The Government announces that the State lime quarry will be worked by day labour. ' A/t the annual meeting of the Pastoralists’ Union, the president referred to the land tax as oppressive and irksome, the impost bearing with special severity on so-called absentee owners and the owners, of poor grazing areas. The attitude of a majority in the State Parliament towards tile man on the land left much to be desired. The new Industrial Disputes Bill contained many objectionable features likely to lead to vexatious delays and costly litigation. Mel bourne, J uly 6. The Postmaster-General is negotiating with the United States with a view to the establishment of penny postage between Australia v and America. ■ Brisbane, July 6. The sugar-workers’ strike is spreading. Two more mills have been rendered idle. (Received 6, 9.35 a.m.) Sydney, July 6. The extended dry spell has broken, and useful rains are falling. Hobart, July 6. A fire destroyed Fitzgeralds and Atkins’ printery. Several adjoining promises were damaged by fire and water., The insurances total £45,000. Melbourne, July 6* At a conference between the Act-ing-Premier, manufacturers, and Trades Hall representatives on the question of shortage of labour, the manufacturers submitted statistics showing that factories could provide work for an additional 1198 men, and 2058 women. The Trades Had representatives admitted a shortage m some trades, hut contended ihcre was no need to import labourers. ’.! he Acting-Premier considered that a demand existed, which would be best met by obtaining selected immigrants. (Received 6, 10 a.m.) Sydney, July 6. The school teachers have formed a trades union. The cruiser King Alfred leaves for Portsmouth next montn for relief crows for the Australian squaciou. The Rugby League has decided to pay members of the team visiting England £2 weekly. The Newcastle trade returns for the past six months show a good increase on the previous corresponding period. ,The coal export increased by over 350,000 tons. The total value of the output was £965,000, as against £761,000. New Zealand took 161,637 tons compared with 99,489 tons.