AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8145, 22 May 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

"THE SEDDON WEEK." PENAL SETTLEMENT AT TAHITI. Received May 21, 5 5 p.m. SYDNEY, May 21. What the press term the "Seddon Week" in Sydney, terminated by the departure l of the Premier of New Zealand • by the Messageries mail steamer for Adelaide at noun today. Mr Seddon is in coumunication with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth and the State Premiers to make a joint representation to the Imperial authorities to request France not to wound the feelings of Australia by establishing a penal settlement at Tahiti. .Received May 21, 11.10 p.m. SYDNEY, May 21. Mr Seddon, interviewed, expressed his appreciation of the kindness and courtesy of the Governor-General, Governor of New South Wales, and the State Ministry. He ad&ed: "Although the Tasinan Sea separates us, our hearts beat in unison. The bonds must grow oloser and stronger." While in Melbourne Mr Seddon will discuss the] New Hebrides question with Mr A. Deakin (Federal Prime Minister), MR SEDDON'S ANNUITY PROPOSALS. Received May 21, 10.10 a m. SYDNEY, May 21. The Herald, commenting on Mr Seddon's annuity proposals, says: "That the intentions of the author are admirable few will deny. As to whether they are practicable, or whether the same ends could not be better served by other means, we must have more details to enable us to form a definite opinion. That the task is nos an easy one Mr Seddon will probably be the first to acknowledge. Poverty is the natural consequence of idleness and thriftlessness, but too frequently, also, it is the sole reward of a loDg life of economy and prudence. If Mr Seddon can do anything to remove the frowns of fate in such oases, he will have accomplished much,and he will indeed be able to point with honest pride to this as the copingstone of his many good works." FAREWELL LETTER. Received May 22,12.29 a.m. SYDNEY, May 21. Mr Seddon, in a farewell letter to Mr Carruthers, expresses his grateful thanks and deep appreciation of the cordial kindness and unbounded hospitality extended to him, and feels that it is not so much to himself personally that desired to do honour as to New Zealand. He hoped Mr Carruthers and his colleagues would take an early opportunity of visiting New Zealand. They would be tendered a right good New Zealand welcome. TREE PLANTING BY PRISON GANGS. Received May 21, 9.36 a.m. SYDNEY, May 21. Dealing with the New Zealand Inspector of Prisons' report in favour of the employment of prison gangs on tree-planting, the New South Wales Comptroller of Prisons condemns the system, and emphasises the moral danger from associating with prisoners. He paints out that criminals in New South Wales last year were nearly eight hundred less than ten years ago, while New Zealand's oriminals for the same dat°> showed an increase of 230.

MEMORIAL UNVEILED. Received May 21, 9,30 a.m. SYDNEY, May 21. The Governor (Sir Harry Rawson) unveiled a memorial to New South Wales troops who fell in South Africa at St. Andrew's Cathedral yesterday. The ceremony was an imposing one. IMMIGRANTS FOR AUSTRALIA. Received May 21, 9.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 21. Sir John Forrest, the Federal Treasurer, who has just returned from trip to England, states that his enquiries convinced him that Australia would have no difficulty in securing a good class of immigrants if the matter was taken in hand energetically. i ALLEGATIONS DENIED. Received May 21, 9.30 a.m. 1 SYDNEY, May.2l. The Londojn Missionary 4 Sooiety denies the allegations of a New Guinea trader that the sooiety engages in trading operations. EARTHQUAKES IN NEW HEBRIDES. i Reoeived May 21, 9.30 a.m. SYDNEY, May 21. Severe earthquake snooks were experienced in the New Hebrides between 14th and 20th April, increasing in severity towards the end. The disturbances caused much alarm. NEW STEAMER. Received May 22, 9.35 a.m. SYDNEY, May 21. The A.U.S.N. Company's 2,500ton steamer Suva, which is intended for the Sydney-Fiji trade, has arrived from Glasgow.

CABLE NEWS. By Telegraph—Press Associ&lion—Copyright THE JAPANESE SQUADRON. ARRIVAL IN SYDNEY. Received May 21, 10.25 p.m. SYDNEY, May 21. The Japanese Squadron received a demonstrative welcome on arriving ) from Melbourne, being greeted with salutes from the forts and warships, the Japanese vessels replying. The shipping and many buildings were.lavishly decorated with bunting during the day. The visitors are kept busy paying and receiving offteial calls. To-night the squadron and other shipping and some of the public buildings were brilliantly illuminated. Many social functions have been arranged in honour of the visitors. STREET BETTING. Received May 22, 12.20 a.m. SYDNEY, May 21. Tbe High Court, in reversing the Supreme Court's decision, held that a public lane does not come within the meaning of a place in the Betting House Suppression Act. Tbe effect of the judgment is to deolare\that street-betting i is not unlawful. The Chief Justioe, iu delivering judgment, said that it probably may be very desirable to put down that sort of bettiDg. Very likely it is, but that is the business of the Legislature, not bf the Courts of Justiae. The case was governed by the decision in the case of Powell versus the Kempton Park Racecourse Company, and defendant was not proved to have committed any offence against the Statute. THE CRICKET MUDDLE. ' Received May 22, 1.20 a.m. SYDNEY, May 21. At a special meeting of the Cricket Association, held to consider the Executive Committee's recommendations, with reference to players who signed the agreement with the Melbourne Ulub, a letter was read from M. A. Noble, on behalf of the players, asking for more time, and stating that they were unable to oome to a decision till a full meeting of players interested was held; adding that no effort would be spared in the meantime to bring about a solution of the difficulty. Steps have already been taken to relieve the situation at aa early date without loss of dignity to the Association, Melbourne Club or the players. PLAYERS SUSPENDED. Reoeived May 22 12.9 a.m. SYDjnEY, May 21. A special meeting of the Cricket Association decided to adopt ;the Executive's recommendation for suspending Noble, Duff, Carter, Mao> kay, Diamond, Garnsey and O'Connor. The case of Waddy was held over, pending a reply from the Melbourne Club, vyhom he asked to release him from the agreement. THE JUNCTION MINE. Received May 21, 9.35 a.m. SYDNEY, May 21. 1 , The flooding operations at the Junotion Mine' have ceased. Over 25 million gallons of water was used. The Are is now thoroughly 1 extinguished.