COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 19, 23 January 1915, Page 6

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

THEJ4.S.W. RAILWAYS. A GLOOMY OUTLOOK. [By ElEoteio Telegeaph—Copyhight]

!' \ United Press. Association. (Received tKSO a ; m.) , Sydney, January 23. Mr Harper, Chief, Commissioner of Railways, and speakjag at the Railway Institute, said the people of New South W ales had hard times before them. The last half-year was not as bad as the next might bo. The railway revenue had beep bolstered up by the starving stock traffic, but this must cease. They were faced with £250,000 expenditure and the loss, of £300,000. The carriage of wheat had been non-existent for the ■last three months, and there was a decrease of seven, millions in the tranir way passengers. Mr Harper added that probably it was a gloomy view of the situation, but he took it Hdvisedly to show the people the conditions existing. THE UNEMPLOYMENT QUESTION

(Received 10.20 a.m.) Melbourne, January 23. In reply to a deputation of unemployed bricklayers, the PostmasterGeneral, in sympathising with them, said that the Federal Government was paying out enormous sums. “For the life of me,” he said, “I cannot see why there is so much unemployment. It only shows that private enterprise has completely broken down. I am . satisfied that tnany firms are putting off men without justification. The assets of Australia are as good as ever, and the Cabinet has gone as far as it possibly could. In the beginning it seems that many commerical men simply went out to grab everything.” EXPORTATION OF HIDES, At the outset pf the war a deputation of master trainers pointed out to the Minister for Customs (Mr Tudor). that since the war there had been a great increase in the exportation of bides, to unallied ™ countries. Apart from defence, the tanners urge that unless exportation is restricted there will soon be local shortage. Mr Tudor is considering the matter.

A MURDERER’S CONFESSION

(Received 10.20 a.m.) 4 Perth, January 23. Cutay, alias Facheri, has been committed for trial for the murder of the girl 801 l at Marrinup. Cutay, in a written confession, said, “I have committed a terrible crime, a dishonor to my nation, flag, country, and religion. I don’t know why I did it. I beg only that you will kill me as soon as possible; I am terribly sorry. T

don’t want mercy, hut full justice. Please ask me uo more questions. I am uuahle to answer. Please kill me—kill me.” GENERAL. Melbourne, January 22. As the outcome of a property dispute, Sweeney, an ex-navy man, shot arid dangerously wounded his wife, and then committed suicide. Replying to a deputation asking for the removal of high duties on American printing machinery, Mr Tudor said the Government could not help a country which would not help us.