AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8220, 25 August 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE FUTURE OF NEW GUINEA.

Received August 24, 10.3 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 24. Mr J. C. Watson, leader of the Federal Labour Party, attacked the Government over the appointment of the Royal Commission to investigate tho affairs of New Guinea. The action of the Government, he paid, was hardly such that it could give public satisfaction. The possession had been slowly drifting iq, the wrong direction. In Sir William Maogregoi'a time a policy of development was carried on, and the natives were looked after. Since then, however, there had been a polios of drift. White settlers had been consistently blooked. The responsibility for the failure in the administration, according to Mr Watson, rested first with Sir George Le liunte, and then with Captain Barton. The latter had treated the natives well, but had not the knaok of managing men and affairs. Mr Deakin said the whole history of the possession was marked by illfortuue. The territory had been thrust on the Commonwealth by the Colonial Office at a time when other responsibilities prevented this Parliament from giving the attention to New Guinea it merited. Now, however, a Constitution for the territory was proclaimed, aud would come into force tn September. No Minister could spare the time to go to New Guinea for three or four months to investigate the affairs there. An investigation was neoeseary, as vhe information was needed, and the Government get it by sending a Royal Commission. report of the commission was received, an energetio policy oould be initiated.

CHARGES AGAINST GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

Reoeived August 24, 10.32 a.m. PERTH, August 24. Mr Bolton, in the Legislative Assembly made serious charges against oertain officials in the railway workshops of using Government material for private work. A Royal Commission will bo appointed tu enquire into the matter.

GRAPPLING WITH THE BETTING EVIL.

Received August 24,,*10.32 a.m. SYDNEY, August 24. The Legislative Assembly had an all-night sitting on the seoond reading oftbe Gambling Bill, whioh it iB expected will drive the betting evil from the city and localise it on the racecourse. The seoond reading was oarried by 39 voles to 10. The debate in committee is progressing. Some angry scenes occurred, one member being removed. Received August 24, 11.50 p.m. * SYDNEY, August 24. The House sat continuously until this afternoon, the Labour members stonewalling on the Garbling Bill. Mr Miller disputed the ActingSpeaker's impartiality in oalling upon members (o speak, with the result that he was removed from the Chamber. There was a good deal of disorder, but fair progress was made.

IMPORTANT SHIPPING DECISION.

Received August 24, 10.32 a.m. ADELAIDE, August 24, An important decision has been given in the Civil Court. The British ship Deccan [was sold while the voyage for which the erew signed articles was uncompleted. The crew, believing the ohaage in the ownership entitled them to release from the contract, suert to reoover wages. The court h«ld that, notwithstanding the change in the ownership, the orew waa Jbound to complete the voyage. The pronouncement sets aside the law on the points argued aooordiug to textbooks whioh have teen relied on for nearly half a century. •

THE COPYRIGHT LAW.

Received August 24, 10.32 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 24. The Attorney-General has given notioe of his intention to move a new nJausa in the Copyright Bill, whioh is to be read in conjunction ith the Act pnssed last year. The new clause gives 24 hours' protection to uables, provided the owner of the news does not, without reasonable cause, refuse to supply such news tb the proprietor of a newspaper on fair and reasonable terms. The definition of what is fair and reasonable is to bo summarily determined by a Judge of the High Couft or Supreme Court. The Attorney-General will submit the question as an open one, and in fulfilment of a promise made last year.

BISHOPRIC OF BENDIGO

. Received August 24, 10.32 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 24. The Right Rev. A. W. Pain, Bishop of Gicpsland, has declined the Bishoprio of Bendigo,

IMPERIAL DEFENCE REPORT.

Received August 25, 1 a.m. F MELBOURNE, Aupusfc?24. The Senate discussed the Imperial defence repoxt. Senator Playford said that he had been informed by JOaptain Cresswell that as far as fighting strength was concerned, the present Australian aqnadron was, if auyfchinß, Inferior to whnt was promised in the naval agreement. $

CABLENEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS AT CARCOAR.

Receiver! August 24, 11.50 p.m. SYDNEY, Aagusl 24. Several shocks of earthquake have been experienced at Oarooar, causing dishes to rattle and creating a good deal of nlnrm.