AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8351, 7 February 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN

Received February 6, 9.30 a.m. SYDNEY, February 6. The Political Labour League, at its conference, resolved in favour of equal pay for women with men for work ofequal merit. PURCHASE OF TRAMWAYS, Received February 6, 9.30 a.rn. ADELAIDE, February 6. The Government has concluded the purchase of the city tramways for £280,000. QUEENSLAND POLITICS. Received February 6, 9.80 a.m. BRISBANE, February 6. " Mr Denham, Minister of Agriculture, has resigned, owing to a disagreementTregarding the Government policy. Negotiations are proceeding for an alliance between the Denham and Philp parties. RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS. Received February 6, 9.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, February 6. The Railway Commissioners have been re-appointed for three years at their present salaries.

SIR JOSEPH WARD. Received February 6, 9.23 a.m. MELBOURNE, February 6. Mr Deakin, the Federal Premier, and Sir Joseph Ward conferred in reference to the coming Navigation Conference. The Commonwealth Ministry entertained Sir Joseph Ward at a dinner. Received February 6, 9.55 p.m. MELBOURNE, February 6. Lord Northcote, Governor-General, entertained Sir J. G. Ward at lunch. "' Those present at the dinner given in honour of Sir J. G. Ward by the Commonwealth Parliament at Menzies Hotel, included Mr Deakin, the Chief Justice (Sir J©hn Madden), Mr Watson and many representative men. Sir Joseph Ward, replying to Mr Deakin's toast of his health, dealt with the proposals to be discussed at the Colonial Conference, and advocated continued support of the British Navy, a white Australia and the establishment of an Iroperial Council., Sir Joseph Ward had an excellent reception. He left for Adelaide today. MELBOURNE WOOL SALES. Received February 6, 9.30 a.m. . MELBOURNE, February 6. At the wool sales competition is extremely brisk, and the prices obtained are equal to the highest of the season.

NEW SHIPPING AGREEMENT. Received' February 6, r t 9.30 a.m. SYDNEY, February 6. The new shipping agreement to be filed in the Arbitration Court will be operative for three years. The wharf labourers have obtained increases for day work, at the rate of 12 to 14, and for night work at 33 per centum. Unionists are given preference over non-unionists, ship-owners having the right to fill up with non-unionists if the supply of unionists is short. The overtime rate is fixed at two shillings. A Board of Conciliation, consisting of three representatives from each side, is provided for. PLAGUE IN SYDNEY. Received February 7, 1.26 a.m. SYDNEY, February 6. Twenty-seven plague rats have been found in nine-different places in the centre of the city. PAPUAN AFFAIRS. Received February 7, 1.26 a.m. MELBOURNE, February 6. The report of the Royal Commission on Papuan affairs has been';presented. It is understood that the report severely condemns the administration in certain directions and states that the administrator, divided his officers into two classes —those who were in his favour, and those who were not. It recommends that theNfreasurer and M. D. Ballantyne (Resfdent Magistrate of the South Eastern Division) be retired, and also the Government Secretary—the latter after twelve months.