AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8150, 28 May 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ANGLO JAPANESE ALLIANCE. SPEUCH BY A JAPANESE CONSUL. SYDNEY, May 26. Speakinc at a complimentary harbour excursion given to the officers of the Japanese squadron, the Japanese Consul said it was not. natural for antipathies to exist between the two races. If they did exist they had been manufactured by misrepresentations and appealing to ignorance. He compared the generous spirit shown by the Australian people with the action of the Federal Parliament in declaring the Japanese undesirable immigrants. Admiral Ohimamura declared that he was delighted at the popularity of the Anglo-Japanese treaty in Australia. THE STEANHED BARQUE. SYDNEY, May 26. It is alleged that when the Vincennes was making the Heads she sighted a light similar to a light on a ship, also lights to the starboard. The captain, who was making his first visit to Sydney, steered between the two. Another explanation is that the vessel was on the right course, but the gale rendered her uncontrollable. Received May 27, 10.42 a.m. SYDNEY, May 26. Efforts to refloat the barque Vmcennes are bo far unavailing. AUSTRALIAN MEAT. SYDNEY, May 26. A Tokio firm has opened a depot in the Japanese capital for the sale of Australian meat. OBITUARY. MELBOURNE, May 26. The Hon. James Levien, M.L.A., ex-Minister of Mines, is dead; aged 66 years. STEAMSHIP OWNERS FEDERATION". MELBOURNE, May 26. The Steamship Owners' Federation has informed the Federation of Seamen's Union that it cannot at present give a favourable reply to certain requests made on behalf of the Union, and suggesting that the matter be adjourned till August. The Federation also adds that the suggestion of a postponement is not to be regarded in any way as an indication that the requests will be granted.

MOUNT LYELL COMPANY. MELBOURNE, May 26. At the half-yearly meeting of the Mount Lyell Company, the chairman announced that if the pay: ableness of toe blue tier tin eoheme was proved, a new company would, be formed with a capital of £260,000. EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION. . BRISBANE, May 26. J The Employers' Conference has passed resolutions against any Federal direct taxation, such as a land- I tax, as an encroachment on the spnere of taxation belonging to State Parliaments;, against trusts' repression . legislation as inimical to manufacturing and trading interests; and in favour of testing the legality of the union label as a trade mark. MR SEDDON'S VISIT. HIS ARRIVAL IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Received May 27, 9.43 am. ADELAIDE, May 26. The Premier (Hon. T. Price), Ministry and Mayor met Mr Seddon at Port Adelaide. On his arrival in.; the City Mr Seddon was welcomed by the Lieu-tenant-Governor (Sir S. J. Way) in the absence of the Governor (Sir George R. Lo Hunt), who, however, sent the following message'through the Lieutenant-Governor: "Please oonvey my kind regards antl welcome to Mr Sed3on, and regret that I am away when he is visiting our State." An elaborate programme had been prepared for the visitor's entertainment. Replying to the Premier's speech of welcome, Mr Seddon said his main anxiety was os to how much Australian hospitality he could standi. SUBSIDENCE AT SHEPHERD'S HILL. DEPARTMENTAL ENQUIRY. Received May 27, 12.42 a.m. SYDNEY, May 26. The Departmental enquiry into the subsidence at Shepherd's r Hill, Newcastle, while not definitely fixing the cause, believes it to be due to the fall of the roof in the workings of the Sea Pit mine. It is confidently expected that no further serious developments will take place. VICTORIAN FINANCES. Reoeived May 28/1.25 a.m. MELBOUKNE May 27. Next year a four-million loan falls due, and another loan of two mi'lions v/illfalt due in the following year. Mr T. Bent (Premier) is unable to say at present whether any portion will be taken up locally; but in view of these redemptions he thinks it is unlikely that any reduction of the income tax will be proposed. .^; 2 . .._.,;.__

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, May 25. At the meeting of the Bank of New South Wales, today, the report, which waa adopted, showed the net profits for 'the half-year to be £129,385, to which waa added £18,200 balance from last year. A dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum waa declared, £25,000 added to the reserve, and £22,618 carried forward. The chairman mentioned the erection of a handsome new bailding at Wellington, New Zealand. He said that present conditions in Australasia as a whole were satisfactory as far as the producing interests were concerned.