AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8471, 24 June 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

THE MELBOURNE MURDER.

MELBOURNE, June 22. v The police have secured information that just at the time Mr Bauer was murdered a lady who was ascending the stairs at Modern Chambers encountered a man running down. He swept her aside with his arm, the blow causing her considerable pain. She noticed an iron bar up his sleeve. The man jumped into a waiting vehicle and drove quickly away.

SETTLEMENT OF THE TIMBER DISPUTE. PERTH, June.22. As the result of a conference, an agreement has been reached in the timber trade dispute, subject to approval of a referendum of workers. The timber merchants have given the workers' unions the right to take over within three months one or more mills, which would have to be worked on the co-operative system. THE NEW ZEALAND SCULLER. SYDNEY, June 22. Webb, the Wanganui sculler, who has. challenged Charles Towns to row for the chairpionship of the world, is taking up his quarters at Ryde. He will begin training immediately.

LABOUR BUREAU REPORT. SYDNEY, June 22. The Labour Bureau reports that industrial matters generally are satisfactory. While local labour in most districts is sufficient, there is an entire absence of unemployed.

SIR J. G. WARD,

Received June 23, 4.48 p.m. SYDNEY, June 23,

Sir J. G. Ward and his party left by the Maheno for Wellington, which port they are timed to reach at 9.30 o'clock on Wednesday morning. They received an enthusiastic "send-off."

NAVAL DEFENCE OF THE COLONIES.

SYDNEY, June 22.

Mr G. H. Reid, Leader of the Opposition in the Federal House, at the annual meeting of the Seamen's Mission, at which Sir W. Fawkes was present, declared that he was getting anxious about the fleet. He had read with pride Sir Joseph Ward's expressions on the matter. New Zealand was a very little part of Australasia, but since Federation, in regard to any great phase of public questions which touched Imperial instincts, it had always been not the Premier of Australia, but the Premier of New Zealand, who had lead the way. Sir Joseph Ward was leading the way again;. he said in effect that he was not going to tear up the naval agreement. Mr Reid declared that he favoured an Australian navy, ,but,w,pul4 begin on a small scale, and until he got it would go on paying the subsidy. The speaker concluded: "So far as my influence as a public man goes, I will stand by the side of the Premier of New Zealand, and see that there is no hand that will tear up the agreement between the Mother Country and ourselves. We might yet feel ashamed, and say we will give a little more." SYDNEY, June 22. Speaking at the laying of the foundation-stone of the Royal Naval House, the Minister of Education said he hoped the Commonwealth would not abolish the naval subsidy. He thought an Australian navy might some day be built, but, as the Admiral thad said, for training purposes. The idea of an independent Australian t navy for purely defensive purposes was not to be entertained at all. This was the opinion of the State Government, and, he believed, of Parliament and people. Sir James Fairfax said it was the desire of the people that the fleet should remain in Australian waters.

i CHEAPER CABLES. Received June 24, 1.2 a.m. SYDNEY June 23. A deputation representing the New South Wales Country Press Association waited on Sir J. G. Ward and congratulated him on his efforts to secure a reduction of cable ratesSir J. G. Ward replied that he was pleased to know his efforts were approved of. He was fully determined to continue the campaign in this direction. He knew the disabilities of the present system of press cables, and trusted that the course he had decided on taking would not only prove acceptable to New Zealand, but be beneficial to Australia as well as a forward move towards the unity of the Empire.

CRICKET. SYDNEY, June 22. It is understood x that the executive of the Cricket Association has decided not to play the English ,team on the Sydney Cricket Ground if twenty per cent, of the takings are insisted upon. The Association is making enquiries regarding Rushcutter's Bay Oval. MANSLAUGHTER. SYDNEY, June 22. Schonbeer has been found guilty of manslaughter of William Panton, at Kyneton, on April 18th, and v was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. (Panton, who was a swagger, was found dreadfully wounded on the head, and died soon after his removal to the hospital. His camp mate, Schonbeer, had disappeared, but was traced and arrested. At the time of his arrest he was wearing Pranton's shirt and boots. His statement was that during a quarrel Panton attempted to stab him, and that in self-defence he snatched up a tomahawk and struck him on the head with it.)

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph,

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