AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 309, 4 January 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE SEWCASTLfc COAL TROUBLE. Received 3rd, 10-34 pju. Sydeny, January 3. The situation at .Newcastle is again becoming grave. Six mines are now idle. The men demand an increase oi 4d per ton. it is Delieved that the owners intend, if the strike ends tonight, not to go before a special court arranged by tiie Premier, and which meets oa Monday.

QUEENSLAND POLITICS. Received Jan. 3, 10.25 p.m. Brisbane, January 3. Mr. Philp has issued a manifesto tu the electors stating that the Government intend without delay to pass a measure to foster the oversea transport by subsidising a line of steamers with sufficient refrigerating spave to trade between Queensland and Britain and the East via Tofrens Strait. It is also intended to reduce the number of members of the Assembly; place the Council oa an elective basis; establish Wagea Boards; increase the old-age pension to 10s weekly; and to take a referendum on reI ligioiu instruction in schools.

THE DEFENCE SCHEME. Melbourne, January 3. The Federal Premier, Hon. Dcukin, has not yet received a reply to the cable message sent to the Admiralty nearly a month ago, urging it to reconsider ite rejection of the arrangement which he proposed be substituted for the naval agreement.

THE YEAR'S FIOI'KES. Sydney, January 3. The numbers of births and deaths in the Metropolitan area during the past year were each over five per cent, higher than the average for the preceding five years? The increase in tne number of deaths was due chieily to an epidemic of whooping cough and measles. 1 Brisbane, January 3. The revenue for the half-year was £2,243,000—an increase of £ 128,328 on the amount for the corresponding period of last year. Hobart, January 3The revenue for the half-year was £306,2?9—an increase of £55,000. Adelaide, January 3. The railway revenue for the half-year increased by £150,000.

LITHGOW IRONWORKS. Sydney, January 3. The J.ithgow ironworks begin operations again to-day under new management. / CONVERSION OF A LOAN. >

Adelaide, January 3. The State Treasurer states that he is not surprised that more of the loan was ! not converted in London. The offer of 3% per cent stock at £9B 10s instead of 4 per cent would not be sufficiently tempting in the present state of the London market. In any case he had sufficient money in hand to- meet a ! fairly large proportion of the loan of I £1,400,000 falling due in July. ' WHARF LUMPERS' STRIKE. *

Sydney, January 3. The wharf laborers at Newcastle,, disregarding the Arbitration Court's award, have struck for higher wages. Several vessels are delayed. TTTF. PT.AfH'F.. I ' Svdnev, January -1. The source of the plague outbreak has beep traced to Marrickville.