AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8254, 6 October 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

EARTHQUAKE RECORDS.

Received October 5, 9.5 a.m. SYDNEY, October 5. Seismograpbic records were made at Perth on Tuesday. The Sydney seismograph recorded shocks at a corresponding hour. The oscillations were unusually large, the one of greatest intensity lasting six minutes:

COLLIERY DISPUTE

Received October 5, 9.5 a.m. SYDNEY, October 5. Work at the Wallsend mine has been stopped, throwing 500 hands idle, owing to the boys objeoting to one of their number being reduced from the position of driver with decreased pay for an act of negligence.

DUTY ON HOPS

fiecoivod October 5, 9.5 a.m. SYDNEY, October 5. The manufacturers recommend the Minister for Customs to reduce the duty on New Zealand hops to|thveepence per lb.

NOT PROVEN

Received October 5, 9.5 a.m. PERTH, October 5. The Royal Commission appointed to enquire into grave charges brought against a high railway official, finds the charges without foundation.

POLITICAL CHANGE,

Received October 5, 9.5 a.m. ADELAIDE, October 5. The Government has xesigned, and the Hon. R. Butle, has been summoned to form a Ministry. (The'cause of tne Government's resignation is a sharp difference with the Legislative Assembly regarding certain amendments to the Franchise Bill. It was generally expected that there would have been a dissolution).

FEDERAL LABOUR PAR'li'.

Received October 5, 9.30 a.m.

MELBOURNE, Octobers. The Federal Parliamentary Labour Party has issued a manifesto to the electors. The manifesto surveys the work of the dying Parliament, and declares that the Labour platform proposes that the fiscal policy of Australia shall be settled by-the direct vote of the people themselves. It is the intention of the parry that this settlement shall be made speedily and decisively, free from confusion and the distraction of]other issues. The most teriou3 obstacle to the expansion of the progress of Australia, says the manifesto, is land monopoly, which is largely responsible for the unemployed and has driven thousands out of tho Commonwealth during the past few years, and impedes any substantial increase of population from abroad. Land monopoly must be abolished if the people are to have a fair chance of earning an honest livelihood. The party is determined on a progressive land tax and to break up the big estates. Ibe principle is quoted as contributing largely to New Zealand's prosperity. The manifesto favours immediate provision for coast defence by torpedo boats or other suitable vessels. The proximity of the Northern Territory to the East, it states, demonstrates the unwisdom of allowing tbat spacious territory to be untenanted, aud the party is convinced that its effective occupation by a white race i 3 practicable, and cordially welcomes the right kind of immigrant l :. ' The manifesto concludes by stating it is dosirable to take over the State debts and to limit the borrowing powers of the States.

• RECIPROCITY. Received October 5, 11.42 p.m. MELBOURNE, October 5. Speakin,g on the South African reciprocity treaty the" Hon. A. Deakin said thrit is was with the deepest regret that be informed the House that the treaty with New Zealand Lad failed to obtain the aooeptanoe of the people of that colony. The telegraphed reports of the objections were very brief. He was in a position to say that these objections were in tha mind of the late Mr Seddnn, who mentioned them to the Federal Ministers as from the point of view of New Zealand, making the treaty less attractive, but Mr Sodden accepted them as a saoriQce that he would make under a treaty for other advantages. It was with a clear appreciation of the loss of revenue involved by these proposals that Mr Seddon set his signature to the treaty. He mentioned this matter in justice to Mr Seddon. It was with a full and clear view of all circumstances that Mr Seddon threw the great weight of his knowledge and reputation In the scale in favour of the treaty.