AUSTRILIAN NEWS. UNKNOWN.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 170, 18 September 1886, Page 4

AUSTRILIAN NEWS. UNKNOWN.

Melbourne, September 9. The Government have resolved to take a census of the colony in 1888. It has been decided to close the labour bureau opened for the benefit of the unemdloyed. Sawmill proprietors are urging the Government to impose a, further duty on, imported undressed timber.

Sydney, Sept. 9. There is an idea that the Council will reject the Land Tax Bill. Severe and destructive floods are being experienced in Tumut district. At a meeting of the Seamen'B Union on Monday it vraa resolved to call upon the Government of thiß colony to use its influence to prevent boats carrying mails from being manned by Chinese, and to ask their president (Mr £. W. O'Sullivan) to lay the matter before Parliament at bis earliest convenience. ( , .; The deputation that waited upon the Government with reference to tlfce cable subsidy infer from the conversation that any initiative in the matter must come from the New Zealand Government and the Cable Company, when the Government of New South Wales will give it considera tion. The Intercolonial Trades Congress has concluded its delibeiations. Motions were carried in favour of the federation of the trades and labour societies of Australia and New Zealand; advocating an extension of the provisions of the Employers' Liability Act of 1884 to seamen ; favouring a tax on the unimproved capital value of land as being more iust than a property tax, which, it was held, was a tax on industry. It was aUo agreed that strenuous efforts shoul be made to obtain a Factories and Workshops' Act throughout Australia and New Zealand. The principle of early closingon Saturday was unanimously approved of: A motion, having for its ob* jectthe extension of the eight-hour principle, and the regulation of apprentices was carried. The congress favoured the total abolition otej State-assisted immigration, though there was some difference of opinion upon the subject. It was decided that the next congress should be held in Brisbane. A motion in favour of Hobart was lost by a very email majority, Brisbane, Sept. 9. A narrow escape from a great railway disaster occurred on Wednesday morning near Ipswich. The train had just passed over an embankment, when about four chains of a landslip occurred. The damage amounts to several thousands of pounds,

Consul Griffin's Banquet A most Hucceesful banquet was given to MrG. W. Griffin, the United States Tonsufi at Sydney, prier to his departure for a brief visit to his native country. Many protoinentcitizenßmuatercdatthofastiveboard, and amongst those who sent letters of apol ogy were Sir Alfred Stephens, Sir John Hay and Sir Patrick Jennings. The Right Hon. W. B. Dalley presided, and in a charming epeech proposed the health of the guest. Mr Griffin re sponded in terms of (warmest appreciation, thanking several gentlemen who had assisted him in the preparation of his official reports, and expressing a hope to return to his many friends in Sydney at the conclusion of the contemplated tour. Sir James Martin delivered a most able, lengthy and interesting epeech on the qualities of eminent Americans, the truly British characteristicaf the groat Republic and the happy prospects of the AngloSaxon race. Mr Gibba, responding on behalf of "The Land We Live In," tiaid that he trusted their guest would return crowned with well-earned rewards, and that not the least recognition of his able services would be promotion to the rank of ConsulGeneral. '