AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 61, 2 March 1908, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

1-TiUIT' PESTS. Sydney, February 20. Tire conference 'of tlie inter-Stale .Ministers of Agriculture lias adopted a comprehensive scheme for combined action in dealing with the fruit pests. CHINA AWAKENING Sydney, February ill, Ling, a prominent Chinese student, is visiting Australia to enquire into the condition of Chinese. He says the Chinese nation is awakening, and in taking into account all the little details in dealing with foreign nations China was following the lead of .lapan, and it would not be long before .lapan would be surpassed so far as ideas of advancement were concerned.

SHIPPING THEFTS. Melbourne, February ill. At the half-yearly meeting of tlie Melbourne Steamship Company Mr Reid (chairman of directors) said that over | t: 12,000 was annually paid in ciaiius among companies for thefts Irom wharves. Referring to the Navigation Bill he said it was calculated to destroy trade with Ausfralii, and if passed would debar .some of the finest steamers coming here.

POPULATION RETURNS. Melbourne, February 29. The population of Victoria at the end of last vear was 1.258.140, an increase of 21i.Hl The population of Greater Melbourne was 538,000. STEAMER FLOATED OFF. Sydney, February 2!1. The Darius has'floated olT; apparently but little damage was done, BAND TO VTSTT AUSTRALASIA. Sydney, February 20. P. Howclls has engaged the' Royal Artillery Band to visit Australia and New Zealand for a series of concerts, commencing in May.