COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 97, 1 May 1913, Page 7

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

STATE FERRIES. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ! [United Press Association.] Sydney, April 30. The Cabinet is considering the establishing of a State ferry to North Sydney. Ministers state that the plans are not yet matured. The ferry companies’ leases of the wharves at Circular Quay expire at the end of May. THE FEDERAL GOVERNOR. Sydney, April 30. Lord Denman (Governor-General), will arrive on Saturday morning from Melbourne to review 20,000 cadets, and will depart the same evening, as the Government, having taken over Government House, has no' adequate accommodation for housing distinguished visitors. There is a groat outcry in the press by the public at the Governor-General being driven to such shrifts. FEDERAL POLITICS. Mr Fisher (Premier) addressed a big Federal campaign meeting in the Town Hall. He declared that if the Referenda were rejected the Government still intended to proceed with the tariff and give effective protection to Australian industries. Mr McGowan (Premier of New South Wales), previously a strong opponent, declared himself in favor of the Referenda. EDITOR GOES TO PRISON. Port Darwin, April 30. Mr Kirkland, editor and proprietor of the Northern Territory Times, was fined £IOO on charges of scandalising a Judge and prejudicing a public ease still pending. It is alleged that contempt was contained in an article commenting on a trial wherein a public official was acquitted, and which accused the Judge of bias. Mr Kirkland refused to pay the fine, and was sent to prison. A public subscription has been started to realise the amount and secure his release. CABLE RATES. Melbourne, April 30. Before the Empire Commission, Mr Oxenham, secretary to the Postal Department, gave evidence that he was in favour of State-owned Atlantic cables, so that the Pacific Cable Board would have full control of the traffic between the United Kingdom and .Australia, and be in a position to provide the cheapest, speediest, and most, efficient service possible under the He suggested that the ordinary cable rates should; be reduced, to ,25,..■ the, press .messages to;6d ; the deferred to Is; and the week end cables to Gd a word. He considered the present scanty press cables would be considerably increased if the rates were reduced. RECIPROCITY CONFERENCE, Mr Tudor (Federal - Minister for Trades and Customs), and Mr Foster (Canada’s representative on. the Empire Trade Commission).,, further conferred on the question of reciprocity. Mr F. M. B. Fisher (New Zealand) participates in the conference today.