AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 67, 14 March 1912, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Received 14, 1.5 p.m.) Sydney, March 14. Sir William Lyneis improving. The report of the Rotival Comniissioners states that the decline in Hire apprenticeship of hoys is chiefly due to the higher wages procurable at the start for unskilled labour. It recommends that apprenticeship to skilled trades he made compulsory. The Methodist Conference protested against the Government’s proposal for •bursaries for denominational schools. In the Assembly, Mr. Wade opposed the Bill increasing members’ salaries to £SOO a year, and providing the Leader of the Opposition an extra allowance of £250. There was nothing to justify a House with any sense of self-respect voting themselves remuneration without the warrant of their constituents. He urged that they must consult the electors, and said lie would not be a party to imposing heavy burdens on the taxpayers. (Received 14, 1.5 p.m.) Melbourne, March 14. The population of the State at the end of the year was 1,337,678, an increase for the year of 29,567. The population of Melbourne within a tenmile radius was 600,160, an increase of 12,160. The marriages m the metropolis were the highest on record. A correspondent has written to Mr. Fisher suggesting that he make it compulsory for every child between the ages of twelve and twenty-one to attend church. Thereby the blessing of God would rest upon him like a dove.