AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MINERS’ HOLIDAY. ' By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. Received April 7, 1.30 a.m. Sydney, April 6. The coal miners throughout the Commonwealth have decided to take a holiday on May Day. WAGES REDUCTION PROBLEM. Received April 7, 1.30 a.m. Brisbane, April 6. Representatives of the Mount Morgan Company and the miners unsuccessfully conferred on the question of a reduction of wages, and adjourned till Thursday. S A CYCLONIC STORM. Received April 7, 1.30 a.m. Brisbane, April 6. A cyclonic storm swept Bundaberg, Maryborough and other coastal towns and caused heavy damag?. Telegraphic and railway communication was interrupted. A NEW CATTLE DISEASE. Brisbane, April 6. A new cattle disease of French origin, known as petechel fever, has broken out among stock in Central and West Queensland. It was previously known in Victoria. The symptoms consist of enormous swellings, the whole breast and head assuming gigantic proportions and the legs becoming as thick as tree trunks. The Department of Agriculture advises isolation and fresh pastures. Failure to comply with these conditions will result in death in 40 days infection. LABARTE MURDER TRIAL. Sydney, April 6. At the Labarte trial medical evidence was submitted in support of the plea that Labarte was temporarily insane and unable to recollect what occurred at the time of the tragedy, as the result of his experiences at the war, where, he was injured, and excessive drinking.

The Chief Justice, in summing up, said that any sentiments as regards accused’s war services rpust be set aside. Drunkenness did not absolve a man from criminality, though intent was not to be attributed so readily to a man under the influence of liquor. Labarte pleaded not guilty to the second charge of murdering Constable Mitchell. the hearing of this charge was indefinitely postponed.

BLUNDER OVER FREIGHTS. Sydney, April 6. A cablegram sent on March 423 stated that the London manager of the Commonwealth Steamship Line was introducing cut- rates for frozen* meat cargoes. As the result of the announcement shippers operated and then approached the Commonwealth Line for space at reduced rates, but were informed that no space was available at these rates till next year. They complain that the misleading announcement has involved them in heavy losses. seas shipowners now officially state that the reduction, hurriedly announced by the management of the Commonwealth Line, was really made by the British Food Ministry on March 23 to operate until the end of the present month. From then shipping companies were freed from control and at liberty to fix their own rates. ,