AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8108, 31 March 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MR DEAKIN ON THE LABOUR PARTY. Received Marob 30, 10.20 a.m. ADELAIDE, March 30. Mr Deakin, in his speech, said that unfortunately the Labour Party had not made Protection a Dart of its platform. The methods adopted by the Labour party are the same methcds as those adopted by other 1 parties, but if the Labour party is to rise to the height of its opportunities and shoulder its share of responsibility it will need So revise its methods to meet the requirements. The present disciplinary methods may have been good in the early days, when the party was forcing its way to the front ranks, but now that its members have got to the front ranks they may find the opportunities cass by if they do not reform their methods. If the fiscal question is not disposed of the Labour party will be divided, and Liberals and Labour members will be fighting each other at the polls once more. AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. V AN INTERESTING PAPER. Received Mraoh 30, 9.45 p.m. LONDON, March 30. Mr E. T. Donat presided at the annual meeting of the Australian Chamber of Commerce. All the Agents-General and many leading merchants were present. Sir John Read read a paper on the trade aud production of Australia. The speaker declared that it was impossible to largely increase the mineral and other products with increased facilities. It was expedient to construct more railways, especially to connect the east and west. It was necessary to increase the population. The Government were determined to have in the country only good British immigrants; not only to increase production, but for defence purposes. Re striojion of the coloured races was very necessary. If there had been no restriction in the past Australia would have had a larger ooloured that white population. If wise counsels prevailed in the States the Commonwealth would fceoome responsible for the debts and establishment of one Australian stock. 1 This would be advantageous to Australia. The stocks would command a better price, and would be more sought after, and he believed the Austalian consols would be as popular as the British. THE ELECTIONS IN TASMANIA? Reoeived March 30, 10.40 a.m. HOBART, March 30. The elections have produced several surprises. So many members have been elected on the local option question that it is difficult to arrive at the state of the parties. The Ministry, however, is weakened. The Attorney-General (Mr Giliii ore) has been defeated. The Labour Party gains considerably. Mr Nicholls, Leader of the Opposition, beat Sh" Elliot Lewis.' The women's vote was oast heavily for local option. The returns up to the present show the following state of the parties:—Ministerial 17; Opposition, 5; Independent, 23; Labour, 7. THE CADET MOVEMENT. Reoeived March 30, 10.21 a.m. SYDNEY, March 30. A soheme for bringing the cadets of the Commonwealth into uniformity has been completed. The strength at present is about ten thousand; the new scheme will bring the number up to 22,900. The small boys will be armed with Francotie rifles, the more advanced boys with Westley-Riohards, and the bigger boys with .303 Martini Enfields. The Government has placed the urder for the rifles, and instructional officers have been appointed in the various States to assist the cadet officers. * MURRAY WATER DIFFICULTY. Received March 30, 9.55 a.m. ADELAIDE, March 30. The Governor reoently forwarded a long d6spatoh to the Colonial Office on the Murray water difficult. His Excellency adds:—"The question is one whiob, in my opinion, requires the most vigilant attention, and one whioh should be dealt with from the widest, point ot view aq affecting the well-being of the Commonwealth as a whole, rather than that of any State individually. I helieve it would be the best possible thing if the Commonwealth would deal with it as a subject of national rather than inter-State importance, and take it out of the sphere of inter-State politics. Unless this is done, or unless the threw States interested can come to a definite and permanent agreemeat which will remain entirely unaffected by changes in politioal parties, J see no way of avoiding constant disputes and embittering, State relations, probably leading to costly and uncertain litigation."