AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 173, 20 January 1912, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AN EARTH TREMOR. By Qable—Priss Association—Copyright Sydney, January 19. An earth tremor was widely felt in the Southern districts yesterday morning. It was preceded by a heavy rumbling. A peculiar feature was the rapidity of the waves and the fact that there was no preliminary wave. No damage was done. THE COPYRIGHT ACT. Melbourne, January 19. A number of leading artists and writers memorialised the Federal Government to amend the Copyright Act by placing a duty of £5 on imported pictures and a duty of at least 33 1-3 per cent, on foreign magazines and sixpenny novels with a view to having this class of literature printed in Australia. PROTEST AGAINST THE INCOME TAX. Sydney, January 19. A meeting of business men strongly protested against the new income tax, and decided to take steps to secure radical amendments of its more drastic provisions. SERIOUS FIRE IN CANE FIELDS. Brisbane, January 19. Fires in the cane fields round Murwillumbah swept over 500 acres, and 3700 ton 3 of valuable cane were destroyed. Small Kanaka growers were the chief sufferers. A number lost their homes. NO LICENSE CAMPAIGN. Sydney, January 19. The council of the Prohibition Party resolved, in view of the recent New Zealand vote, to appeal to all temperance organisations to enter upon an active agitation to secure a State vote on liquor or no liquor by a simple majority. The council congratulated the Victorian Alliance on its adoption of this policy. JAPANESE MAIL BOATS. Sydney, January 19. Ihe annual report of the Japanese Mail Line, just received, indicates its possible extension to New Zealand. The president foreshadowed the construction of seven new vessels at a cost of £1,000.00(1, including two for the Australian trade. He added that one boat would suffice for the Australian line, but. in the event of the line being extended to New Zealand, oijc more must be added. LIGHT INC MASS STRAITS. Melbourne, January 19. A? the result of the recent expert report the Federal Government has ordered the commencement of the work of lighting Bass Straits.