AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 287, 3 April 1913, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

. SYDNEY FERRY FAREr. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, April 2. Thero is an outcry against some of the ferry companies for wising their-fares, in order to make up for the extra outlay caused bv the increases in thj men's pay, as a result of the strike. THE FEDERAL REVENUE. Sydney, April 2. The Federal revenue for the .past nine months shows an increase of £756.527 as compared with last vear's corresnonding period. • ■•. ' L COMMONWEALTH DEFENCE. Sydney, April 2. The Herald commenting 'on the proposed increase in the Australian army, says: "Tt is an axiom of its ■existenae. that the Empire depends primarily upon adequate and efficient naval forces, and that, the presence in Australian waters of the macrnificeni cruiser the Yew Zcaland, reminds us of the share the. Dominions are taking of the burden of naval defence. But none the less it is necessary that we should have adequate armies on land." TIMBER WORKERS' CONFERENCE. Hobart, April 2. The timber workers at. the Federal Conference adopted a number of reeommedations for the alteration of the tariff. There was a general tendency to ask for increased duties on small "si?:es of timber and on dressed timber generally made in New Zealand. In regard to white pine for butter boxes it was recommended that the duty remain at Is fid per hundred feet, while the duties on other New Zealand pines should be increased to 2s fid per hundred feet

EMPIRE TRADE COMMISSION. , Brisbane, April 2. The Empire Trade Commissioners have arrived and commenced taking evidence Speaking at a civic reception Sir E,]. gar Vincent declared hat the present cable rates were unduly high, and calculated to hamper in an unwise manner free, communication between inhabitants of the Empire. A quantity of evidence was taken on the questions of immigration and afforestation.