AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 86, 24 November 1911, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

WELCOME RAINS. Sydney, November 23. Light rain continues to fall generally, up to three inches falling in some districts. The rains have greatly relieved the situation in many places suffering from the drought. INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES BILL. Sydney, November 23. In the Assembly, after an all night sitting, tho Industrial Disputes Bill was put through committee. LAWN- TENNIS. Melbourne, November 23. In the tennis ■ singles championship of Australasia, Heats, by brilliant play, defeated Brookes, 6-—I in the first set. In the third round rain prevented the finish of the round. CABLE RATES. Melbourne, -November 23. In the Senate, in reply to questions, tho Government representative stated the reduction of the cable press rates would mean a direct loss to Australia, by the reduction of the terminal rate. If, say, 50 per cent of the business should bo affected by the arrangement, the Government had no intention to ask for an independent cable service to reduce tho charges to country newspapers, or to increase the number of words received weekly, or to accept a lower subsidy in order to recoup the loss caused by a reduction in press rates. GREAT RISE IN RENTS. (Received 24, 10.55 a.m.) Sydney, November 24. Before tho Rent Commission three city business men .gave evidence that their rents had increased three hundred per cent, in the past year. An estate agent declared that the rents of dwellings had increased by eighty per cent., and he anticipated a further ten per cent, in the near future. NEWSPAPERS ATTACKED. (Received 24, 10.55 a.m.) Melbourne, November 24. In the Senate Mr. P.aa made an extraordinary statement regarding the newspapers, which he termed “Miserable, lying, perjured rags, supporting the frothy humbugs and perjured villains of the Opposition and scoundrelly manufacturers.” The outburst created mystified amusement.