AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1917, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE ROQKDALE MURDER. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Sydney, March 22 William Benzing has been sentenced to death in connection with the Rockdale. murder.

DR. GILRUTH. Melbourne, March 22. Although it is reported that the Minister of the Interior has approved of Dr. C4ilruth's reappointment as Administrator of the Northern Territory,: Cabinet, tihough it lias considered the mattei, lias reached no finality.

STANDARDISING TALLOW. Melbourne, March 22. The Federal Price-fixing Board ara negotiating with the Imperial authorities with a view to standardising tal> low whereby soap makers are assured of adequate supplies at from £3O to £33 per ton.

QUEENSLAND GOLD PRODUCTION

Brisbane, March 22. The fnining output of Queensland in 1010 was valued at £4,021,(X>7, an increase of £GUG,Ufi.

ELECTION CAMPAIGN CLOSED Received March £3, 5.45 p.m. Sydney, March 23. Big rallies brought to a close one of the most bitter election campaigns on record. Towards the finish, the raising of the sectarian cry helped further to embitter feeling and divide the parties. Resides the direct Nationalists and Political Labor League sections, each side carries a small wing of independents, who will split the voting in a few electorates and probably necessitate a second ballot. Electors generally appear to appreciate that the situation is on# of exceptional character, and that issues of the most vital and far-reaching nature will depend on to-morrow's verdict. Surprises are certain, and, judging as far as possible from Ihe very chaotic and volcanic condition of affairs, perhapg the greatest surprise of all will be if th« Nationalists fail to retain the svmpathy of the majority of the voters.