AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8484, 11 July 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

VICTORIAN POLITICS. Received July 10, 11.52 p.m. MELBOURNE, July 10. The Governor's Speech showed that the indebtedness of the State had been reduced during the year by .£1,014,000. Arrangements had been mftde to meet the local loan of £1,000,000 falling due in October, ;and nearly the whole of the London loan of £2,000,000, which was due in April next, had been provided for. A policy of judicious railway construction wojld be recommended. A Bill to provide for the acquisition of a million acres for closer settlement would be submitted. A referendum would be taken on the giving of scripture lessons in State schools. Old age pensions would be increased from eight shillings to ten shillings per week, and a Workmen's Compensation Bill would also be introduced. STRANDING'OF THE PYRAMUS. THE MARINE ENQUIRY. Received July 10, 11.52 p.m. •SYDNEY, July 10. The court-martial in connection with the recent stranding of H.M.S. jPyramus on the C Reef, north of >Cooktown, on the -Queensland coast, was continued to-day. Lieutenant Hurst was next tried. Lieutenant Braithwaite said that it •was by the captain's order that the deck was handed over to Warrant Officer Collingwood. He stated that he had not reported the alterations in the course of the vessel to the captain, as was usual, because they were only temporary courses. On other occasions such courses had not been reported. The alterations brought the beacon from the port bow to the - starboard bow. Lieutenant Hurst made a statement .and said that he had been almost continually on the bridge for the previous two days and was very sleepy. Having set the course, he seized the opportunity to have a bath. Received July 11, 12.20 a.m. SYDNEY, July 10. The comrt-martial found Hurst guilty of an error of judgment in not remaining on deck till the C Reef wuj passed, and reprimanded him. THE FURNITURE TRADE. RESTRICTION OF CHINESE COMPETITION. Received July 11, 1.12 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 10. The Minister for Labour told a deputation that a bill to restrict Chinese competition in the furniture trade would be introduced early in the