AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8454, 3 June 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

COMMONWEALTH AND STATE. TAKING OVER THE STATES' DEBTS. | BRISBANE, June 1. After Sir John Forrest's, speech the conference reconsidered the question of the taking over by the Commonwealth of the States' debts. Mr Carruthers (New South Wales) complained of the grabbing spirit of the London underwriters. New South Wales' experience had been that the cost of underwriting, together with commission and stamp duties, amounted to £2 15s per cent. There was no patriotism in London finance. London was to-day the rottenest money market in the world. Sir John Forrest had hinted that the Commonwealth might take over the Post Office Savings Bank. He would say: "God help the Commonwealth if it threatens us that way." If the Commonwealth were going to act the part of a crushing machine, then it would have to consider the people. Mr Carruthers added that he had come prepared to get rid of the friction between New South Wales and the other States of the Commonwealth. He had a scheme which he had not yet proposed. It was to constitute a board or [commission of experts, representing each State, to go thoroughly into the whole question. That would be better than discussions at the Premiers' Conferences. After further discussion, the conference reiterated its previous decision that the time is not ripe for the Commonwealth to take over the States' debts, Victoria and South Australia dissenting. It was resolved to appoint some competent person, at the joint exp§nse„„of the States, to examine measures introduced in the Commonwealth Parliament and to advise the States whether their rights are infringed. TASMANIA'S LOSSES. FRANCO-BRITISH EXHIBITION. DEEP SEA FISHERIES. Received June 3, 1.12 a.m. ' BRISBANE, June 2.' The Premiers Conference resolved that in consideration of the financial losses sustained by Tasmania owing to the operation of the Federation, £40,000 annually be added to the amount ' actually returned to .Tasmania from July, 1901, to December, 1910, and that a fixed amount be determined on that basis. It was also decided to favour representation at the Franco-British Exhibition next year, and to ask the Commonwealth to develop deep sea' fisheries. - ai " PLAGUE. BRISBANE, June 1. Two lads employed at a city hotel are suffering from plague. The licensee is suffering froro.a suspicious illness. PECULIAR POSITION. . ADELAIDE, June 1. . The Court of Dispute has declared the return of Senator Vardon void, owing to the failure of the returning officer to initial 185 papers. But for this omission the late Mr Crosby would have had a majority over Mr Vardon. SHIPPING. '*; Received June 2, 7.56 p.m. SYDNEY, June 2. Sailed —Indradevi, for New Zealand. Received Jun3 2, 7.56 p.m. MELBOURNE, June 1. Arrived—Maheno. END OF THE COBAR STRIKE. Received June 2, 7.56 p.m. SYDNEY, June 1. A mass meeting of the Cobar strikers have voted acceptance of the owners ultimatum. All the mines will resume on Monday, under an agreement having a currency of two years. SMALLPOX. Received June 2, 7.56 p.m. SYDNEY, June 1. The steamer Agapanthus has reached Newcastle from Hongkong. The third engineer is suffering from smallpox. ACCIDENT TO A STEAMER. Received June 3, 1.12 a.m. SYDNEY, June 2. Ab the Tomoana was leaving for South Africa the high pressure Cylinder blew out. The steamer was delayed while repairs were being carried out.

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