AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8112, 5 April 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE NEW HEBRIDES. . . Received April 4.10.22 a.m. SYDNEY. April 4. Advices bave been received thai; two Britishers in tbe New Hebrides bave decided to become naturalised French subjects in order to participate in the French exinonragements to settlers, as opposed to their treat ment by tbe Commonwealth. RISE IN PRICE OF COAL. Received April 4, 9.24 a.m. SYDNEY, April 4. The majority of the Associated Colliery Owners of the Newcastle and Mainland district bave decided to raise the selling price of coal to nine shillings a ton from the Ist of the present month. The decision will" not apply to existing contracts. It involves an increase of fourpence in the hewing rate. THE WILLIS CASE. Received April 4, 11.20 a.m. *4^ PIETERMARITZBURG, April 3. The Supreme Court of Natal baa reserved its judgment on the appeal against tbe deciaionof the Magistrate in the extradition case against W. N. Willis, who is alleged to be implicated in illegal land transactions in New South Wales, that the Court had no jurisdiction under the Fugitive Offenders Act. THE LANDS SCANDAL. Received April 4, 9.27 a.m. SYDNEY, Aptil' 4. In his evidence before the Lands Commission Mr Crick admitted that he had large sums from Close's firm in the shape of loans, but deolared that they had all been repaid. He ohallenged production, of the report of an accountant who had examined bis private accounts. He took absolute responsibility for, and was prepared at the proper time to defend, every act of his policy as Minister for Lands. .■ A NOTORIOUS CRIMINAL. Received April 4, 9.27 a.m. 9 ADELAIDE, April 4. George Brown, a notorious criminal, who recently figured in a sensational attaok on a detective, has been sentenced to imprisonment for life for shooting at a man with intent to murder him. (On January 11th, Deteotive Northridge endeavoured to arrest Brown when tbe latter presented a revolver at the deteotive. A struggle ensued, during which six shots were fired before Brown was captured), THE ARBITRATION ACT. Reoeived April 4, 10.32 a.m. MELBOURNE, April 4. The Employers' Federation has received a reply from the New Zealand Federation to the statements made by Hon. George Swinburne, Minister of Agrioulture, in regard to the working of the Arbitration Act. The Federation disagrees with Mr Swinburne's statement that the Act is working to great advantage. It contends that, more especially in the South Island, things are almost at the breaking point stage. The Unions are openly assailing tbe employers, and threatening to ignore the Abt altogether and return to the old methods, The Federation declares that it oannot be said that the Act has made for better work or improved methods of fostering trade. It, however, has increased the cost of production. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE. MEETING OF COUNCILS. j Reoeived April 4, 11.30 p.m. PERTH, April 4. The annual meeting of the Council of Chambers of Commerce in Australia deoided to invite the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire to hold the next oonferenoe, after the one to be held in London in July, at Sydney. It was resolved to urge on the Federal authorities the necessity of protection for shipping along the north and eastern ooast from possible attaok by an enemy, or in the alternative, the connecting of all the Queensland railways with Brisbane. COLOURED LABOUR COMMISSION. EVIDENCE BY AN INSPECTOR. TANNA ISLAND NATIVES THREATEN MURDER. Received April 5, 1.10 a.m. BUNDABERG, April 4. Mr Caulfleld, Assistant Immigration Polynesian lnspeutor, giving evidence before the Coloared Labour Commission, said it would be inhuman in some oases to land natives on their islands, as they had lost touch with their own people. Some of the islanders were indifferent regarding tbe deportations, while others were keenly resentful. He learned authentically than the Taciia boys were determined, if deported, to murder every white man on Tanna Island. Mr Uaylfleld was confident that some of the natives would have to be forcibly deported.

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Associ&tioa —Copyright THE LABOUR PARTY AND THE PRIME MINISTER. Reoeived April 5, 1.11 a.m. SYDNEY, April 4. Mr J. C. Watson, Lender of the Labour Party, speaking at North Sydney, said the Labour Party had been able to give considerable time to work with the Hon. A. Deakin. and were prepared to continue doing so, but baforo working arrangements were entered into, the Labour Party wanted to know what the Hon. Mr Deakin and his party were doiug in regard to many important matter. BLACK LAbOUR. ROYAL COMMISSION APPOINTED IN QUEENSLAND. Received April 4, 11.30' pun. BRISBANE, April 4. The Hon. W. Kidston, Premier of Queensland, says that (he Royal Commission, appointed to inquire into the question of black labour, is expected to furnish the Government ; with aocurate and reliable data concerning the proposed deportation of kanakas, and a still more important matter, viz., the scarcity or otherwise of white labour. The subject was a difficult on*), involving a large expense, but as the Federal Government had passed a Blaok Labour Bill, they would not in Queensland hav«i to meet the difficulty and expense. The question of white labour for the sugar industry was only one of wages. The whites would do the work if the wages were good enough. SYDNEY TOWN CLERK ON WELLINGTON. Received April 4, 10.50 p.m. SYDNEY, April 4, Mr Nesbit, Town Clerk, interviewed with regard to his v'isit to New Zealand, said he was considerably impressed with the activity in building operations iu Weilingtou. There was a marked improvement in the appearance of the streets. He thinks the tramway authorities ought to come to Sydney *o pick up a fe«v wrinkles.