GENERAL CABLES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8119, 25 May 1906, Page 4

GENERAL CABLES.

INSURANCE COMPANY SCANDALS. New York, Mav 22. Congressman Goulden testified before the United States House of Kepres;ntalives Committee on Insurance Emulations that it was well known that a Senatorship for New Yorkwas worth anything between £IO,OOO and £20,000 yearly. The money emanated largely from insurance companies. He added that the Mutual Life Company was coerced into giving £2OOO to the geieral election fund. FUNERiL DRIVERS ON STBLKE. New Yoek, May 22. In connection with the Funeral Drivers' Union strike in New York, Uc tiiirers stoned hearses driven by non-unionists. Forty-three funerals had to be postponed.

B EITISHER MURDERED IN RUSSIA. London, March 23, Mr Robert Stewart, a prominent British resident, who acted as American Vice-Consul at Batoum, was murdered at his residence. The motive is supposed to have been robbery.

EMPLOYERS AND SOCIALISM. Brisiuxe, May 23. The Employers' Federation Conference decided to cupport the anti-Social-istic movement, irrespective of mem-

bers' views on the fiscal question, but hopid the present Parliament would carry .into effect the reoomendations of the Tariff Commission relieying any glaring anomalies in tlic tariff. WKSTJIALIAN POLITICS. Perth, May 23. The Premier delivered a policy speech at Bunbury. Ha anticipated the year would end with a deficit of £IIB,OOO. He proposed retrenchment and a tax oa unimproved land values, with the object of breaking up large estates as well as gaining additional revenue. The details of the tax have not yet been decided on. The Government (the Premier said) intend to amend the land laws lo make compulsory progressive improvements on additional block:;; tlie provisions of the Agricultural Bank will be liberalised in OM.cr to assist suitable men possessed only of determination and muscle. The question of immigration, with a view to atlraeliug suitable settlers, was receiving special attention, and the Cabinet intended to ask authority to raise a loan of a million to a million all a qiartcr for agricultural and railways development, land settlement, an I other works. The Government; would keep the expenses down to an absolute minimum. Their retrenchment proposals included reduction of Ministers' salaries [ro m £I.OOO to £BOO.