VARIOUS CABLES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8444, 17 May 1907, Page 5

VARIOUS CABLES.

STRAITS SETTLEMENT. Received May 16, 9.38 a.m. LONDON, May 15. The Times' Singapore correspondent says there is so much dissatisfaction with the Crown Agent'? arrangement of the affairs of the Straits Settlement that it is suggested that a strong expert, independent of the Colonial Office, should investigate the colony's finances. FEDERAL MAIL SYNDICATE. Received May 16, 9.38 a.m. LONDON, May 15. The Federal Mail Syndicate has informed the Commonwealth that it was within its rights under the contract. "NOTHING BUT CANADA." Received May .16, 9.22 a.m. LONDON, May IS. Mr Thos. Bent, Premier of Victoria, speaking at a dinner given by the Association of Foreign Consuls at the Criterion, complained that he heard nothing but Canada talked about in England. The newspapers scarcely mentioned Australia.

CIVIL SERVANTS AND UNIONISM. Received May 16, 9.22 a.m. PARIS, May 15. The Chamber of Deputies, by 343 votes to 210, carried a vote of confidence in the policy of the Premier (M. Clemenceau) in refusing to permit Civil Servants to join trade unions. WAGES BOARD SYSTEM. Received May 16, 8.59 a.'irr. LONDON, May 15. Sir Charles Dilke, Li beral member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean, presiding at a meeting in London, announced that the Government intended to refer the Wages Board Bill to a Select Committee. Sir Reginald Talbot, Governor of Victoria (where the Wages Board system obtains), said the Motherland might follow Victoria's example, but would be unable to do much unless she restricted pauper immigration. LABOUR'S APPROVAL. Received May 16, 10.26 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 16. During the hearing of a deputation to the Chief Secretary, Sir Alex. Peacock, in connection with the Wages Board, Mr Prendergast, leader of the Labour Party, said he had changed his mind on some things. Ho now preferred a Wages Board.to an Arbitration Court. The boards enabled trades to get to work quickly in fixing the conditions of labour.