AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8451, 30 May 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

TIMBER WORKERS' DISPUTE.

Received May [29, 9.47 a.m.

PERTH, May 29,

In connection with the timber workers' dispute, an application has been made to rescind the injunction that was granted by the court restricting certain persons from dealing with the fund raised to assist women and children affected by the strike. The application was adjourned, but the court released £3OO for the purpose. QUEENSLAND SUGAR. Received May 29, 9.47 a.m. BRISBANE, May 29. A -representative deputation of sugar-growers waited on Sir John Forrest, Acting Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, and urged that the Government should introduce suitable labour for the sugar plantations. The deputation agreed that abolition of the bounty of £3 and the excise of £4, with retention of the import duty of £6, would be better for the industry. THE PREMIERS' CONFERENCE. Received May 29, 9.56 p.m. BRISBANE, May 29. At the Premiers' Conference the question of the rights of States was discussed. Mr Kidston said that there was a tendency on the part of the Colonial Office to readily accede to an arrangement under which they would have only the Government of Australia to deal with, and under which all other Governments should communicate with them through the GovernorGeneral. He distinctly objected to make any recommendations in the matter of honours through the Go-vernor-General. BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES. Received May 30, 12.44 a.m. SYDNEY, May 29.' 11 At the half yearly meeting of the Bank of New South Wales the net profits, after making all provisions, amounted to £141,582. This, with the undivided balance of the last half year, gave £169,000 for distribution. A dividend Was declared at the rate of 10 par ?cent., £25,000 -was added to the Reserve Fund, £15,000 to the Buckland Fund, and £29,314 was carried forward. The Chairman reported that the Bank had done satisfactory business during the half year. He explained that the Buckland Fund had been established by the late Mr Thomas Buckland, a former President of the Bank, who gave £1,500 to meet exceptional cases for relief outside the scope of the Officers' Provident Fund. The directors considered that the present time was opportune to make a grant to the Fund, which would enable the further supplementing of the retiring allowances of the aged and infirm officers.

The report was adopted. At a special meeting, held subsequently, it was agreed to increase the Bank's capital from £2,000,000 to £2,500,000 by the issue of 25,000 new £2O shares.