AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8152, 30 May 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

DUTIES ON UK.4PES, WINE, AND SUGAR. A SYDNEY PAPER'S COMMENTS. Received May 29, 9.55 a.m. SYDNEY, May 29. The Sydney Morning Herald, commenting on MrSeddon's references to reciprocal trade, says:—"At present grapes are worth half a crown per pound in New Zealand, though South Australian vigueroas would te glad to supply the market at fourpence, [the cost of transit included. Australian winea can hardly be obtained iu New Zealand, not on account of the alleged teetotal proclivities of the people, but simply because the Customs duties ou their introduction are so high. A treaty with New Zealand must contain some supposed quid pro quo. Mr Seddjn will net allow his fel-low-colonists to pay less than half a crown for grapes unless it is conceded to him thai New Zealand shall be permitted tn unload goods to Australia at a smaller duty than other countries. And what goods has New Zealand that Australia ia without? What manufactures? What produce? If she has a staternan or two of the Seddon tj po for exportation, we might come to terms. If in the meanwhile she reduoes her heavy sugar and wine duties in our favour Australia might well consider the advisability of granting reasonable ooncessions in return." MR SEDDON'S VISIT. CORDIAL RECEPTION AT ADELAIDE. Received May 29, 8.59 a.m. ADELAIDE, May 29. Mr Seddon received an enthusiastic welcome in the Town Hall. The Mayor said Mr Seddon was the greatest history maker south of the Equator, and would live in the hearts of the people of his own country and of Australia, for ever. Every one received a welcome in New Zealand, and in welcoming Mr Seddon they were only voioing the desire of Australia for closer connection.Mr Seddon, replying, said what they must remove was the ignorance of the outer world in respect to New Zealand and Australia and their aims and' aspirations. Ifaey should realise their strength, and that they woie not undesirableo. They were one people, and, in the language of Sir Henry Parkes, had one destiny—that was the solidarity of the great British Empire. Subsequently a publio reception was held. Between two and three thousand people were present. The New Zealand Premier was loudly cheered. Mr Seddon said at no time had he received a greater reward than that accorded him by that vast assimbly. it was a reward that no wealth could purchase. To live and be in the hearts of the people nerved him on to greater efforts in the interest of broader humanity. His great love was for New Zealand and its people, and nothing would rejoice them more than to feel that what the people bad done had its reward and appreciation in Australia. The credit was not only due to nim and those who laboured with him, but to the people, who had been true to themselves and had worked out to some extent their own salvation, and solved the problem of society. Mr Seddon explained the labour legislation in New Zealand, the laws for the protection of ohildren, also relating to the unemployed, factories, and old age pensions, aud his annuity sohome. Time after time there were cries of "You are wanted here," "Come over." Mr Seddon made a referenoe to Mr Kingston as being "the greatest statesman Australia ever had, and whose strenuous labours in tariff matters had impaired his health." This was received with tumultuous applause. "One of the pleasures of my visit," said Mr Seddon, "was to see my old friend's great work for democracy, outlined by Sir George Uroy." This remark also evoked g eat enthusiasm, and as a tribute to-the me-nory of that great man, Mr Seddon asked the audience to rise and rest l me their seats in sileuoo. On resuming his seat Mr Seddon was accorded a great ovation. The P/emiei' was then entectained at lunch by the State Government. EXTERMINATION OF RABBITS. Received May 30, 12.46 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 2D. A depatafcion to Sir William Lyne, Federal Minister of Customs, mged thM prohibition of Dr Dansz's rabbit extermination serum'in connection with the experiments to be carried out in Sydney. They also presented petitions signed by twelve thousand people, against trie importation of the serum. It was represented that the rabbit export industry was worth to Australia over £1,000,000 a year. Sir William Lyne stated that it was iu the power of the Commonwealth to issue a proclamation interdicting the introduction of the virus. He would make representations to Cabinet. He was, personally, dead against the importation of any disease. THE LAND SCANDAL. PAYMENTS AMOUNT TO £67,000. Reoeived May 29, 6 p.m. SYDNEY, May 29. It is stated that the payments mado in connection with land transactions as disolosed before the Royal Commission amounted to £67,000. W. N. Willis is said to have reoeived £44,000, and Peter Close, £15,000.

CABLE NEWS. By Telegraph— Press Ai*or?a»"'«!-C)p 5 /^hl.