AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8153, 4 June 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MR SEDDON'S TOUR. Received June 3, 5.35 p.m. MELBOURNE, June 3. Mr Seddon visited Ballarat yesterday, and was entertained at luncheon by the Mayor. Ho was tendered a welcome by the Trades and Labour Council. A deputation from the various unions said that they regarded Mr Seddon as a man who had done more for Labour than any other man in the world. They wished they had him in Australia. Mr Seddon an address from the Progressive Association, whioh stated that New Zealand was a*striking example of progress and r*orthy of the emulation of any selfgoverning State. Mr tient has informed Mr Seddon of' bis intention to establish a State Labour bureau, and be asked Mr Seddon for particulars cf the New Zealand system, and for the loan of one of the principal Labour offloers to inaugurate the system. Mr Seddon agreed to the request, and said tbat was the commencement of reciprocity between Victoria and New Zealand, whion, he felt sure, would be lor the industeial yeaoe and prosperity of Victoria. STATE DINNER. Received June 3, 5.55 p.m. MELBOURNE, June 3. A dinner was tendered by the Victorian Government to Mr Seddon, and was attended by all the members of the Legislature except ten. Mr Bent ocoupied the ohair, and Sir R. A. J. Talbot (Governor) was present. The words "Haeremai, Kia Oral" composed of eleotiio lamps, were amongst the decorations. Mr Bent, in the course of a speech, said that it was the finest political gathering ever seen in Victoria. No other mai would have been so honoured.

The Governor, in replying to the toaßt of his health, referred to Mr Seddon as a man—a pioneer in politioa and sooial advancement. As long as the Empire produoed such men there v»as no reason to fear the degeneration of the Anglo-Saxon race. Mr Benjt proposed' the toast of the guest and regretted exceeding y that Mr Seddon had not attended the Premiers' Conference. Mr Bent expressed great pleasure at Mr Seddon'B efforts to establish friendly oommeroial relations between Australia and New Zealand. He was muoh interested in the question, and hoped the Conference with Mr Deakih would result in closer relations. If Capital and Labour would only work together in Australia as in New Zealand, Australia would be one of the brightest countries in the Emphe, espeoially if they exchanged goods with New Zealand and the Old Country on reoiprooal terms. He advooated giving England the preference of trading with the colonies, instead of allowing Germany and other foreign countries to compete on the same terms. New Zealand could beat Viotoria in oats, but the latter had the advantage in wheat. The keynote of the whole speech was reciprocity with New Zealand and the enoouragerent of trade with England. The toast was received with enthusiasm.

Mr Seddon spoke for an hour on broad lines, and said ho would return a disappointed man unless his visit Jreaulted. in closer commercial relations between Australia and New Zealand. He was satisfied that the people in the States he had visited favoured reciprocity. He would recommend removing Australian sugar duties. Mr Seddon's remarks on arbitration and other advanced laws evoked applause. RABBIT EXTERMINATION. Received June A, 12.11 a.m. SYDNEY, June 3. The Minister for Lands, in replying to a deputation from Gundagai, protesting against Dr Dansyz's experiments, said the Government had not the slightest intention of letting loose any disease which would in tho least endanger the publio health. A large amount of misapprehension existed on the question and the opposition was mostly from those interested in pre. serving the rabbit industry. The Government were not such absolute lunatics as to take any risk in suoh a matter. He would rather walk out of offioe to-morrow than do anything to make the rabbit industry a permanent one to the disadvantage of the sheepowuer and farmer. The rabbit must go if the man on the land was to stop. The Government had spent six to seven hundred thousand pounds fighting the rabbits, which were now more numerous than ever. He was within the mark in saying that the shrinkage in the capital value of land due to the rabbits was eight to ten million pounds within fifteen years. The value of the Western Division property had decreased 80 to 90 per cent.

THE BARQUE VENOENNES. Reoaived June 3, 8.29 p.m. SYDNEY, May 3. The barque Venoennes, wbioh went ashore at Manly on May 2tth, has been towed off and brought safely to the harbour, ■ i JAPAN'S APPRECIATION. SYDNEY, May 2. The Japanese Government, through the Governor-General, thanked the people of the Commonwealth for the welcome extended to the Japanese Squadron. THE ELIZABETH GRAHAM. SYDNEY, Jane 2. The well-known New Zealand trader Elizabeth Graham has been sold to the Melbourne Steamship Company to be used as a hulk.

CABLE NEWS.

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