AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8499, 31 July 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

QUEENSLAND POLITICS. Received July 30, 6.11 p.m. BRISBANE, July 30. The Legislative Assembly met today. Mr Kidston the Premier, announced that the Government had received from the Labour Party a promise of general support and under the circumstances the Government would continue to carry on. NEW FEDERAL TARIFF. Received July 30, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, July 30. In anticipation of a new Federal tariff duty payments in Sydney have largely increased, totalling £150,000 for the last seven days. THE FIRE ON THE VILLE DE LA CIOTAT. Receved July 30, 10.8 a.m. SYDNEY, July 30. The outbreak of fire on the Ville de la Ciotat, occurred in a small sail locker in the vicinity of the main forehold, where two hundred tons of copra was stored. Great difficulty was experienced in reaching the fire, owing to its position, and the dense volumes of pungent smoke. The work of flooding the forehold was proceeding at an early hour this morning. Though the fire is still burning it is considered there is little chance of its spreading further. The extent of the damage, or whether it gained a hold amongst the copra, is not yet ascertainable. Received July 31, 1.15 i>.m. SYDNEY, July 30. The fire on the French steamer is out. The damage is chiefly confined to the sail locker and No. 1 and 2 foreholds, where a considerable quantity of cargo was damaged by smoke and water. Several firemen were overcome by the fumes, but soon recovered. The cargo is being discharged. DEATH OF A NEW ZEALANDER. Received July 30, 9.43 p.m. SYDEY, July 30. Mr Charles Siridel, a Wanganui publicar, who was a passenger by the Wimmera, from New Zealand, died just prior to the arrival of the steamer. The deceased was unwell when he began the voyage. On Sunday evening he was caught trying to escape through a porthole in the lavatory. The officers burst the door and seized him by the legs just as he was disappearing. They hung on to him while the vessel was stopped. A line was lowered and he was hauled aboard again. His condition was serious and he gradually sank. .The late Mr Siddel was a prominent supporter of the New Zealand sculler Webb. SIR JOHN FORREST RESIGNS. Received July 30, 9.40 p.m. MELBOURNE, July 30. When the House met Sir William Lyne announced that Sir John Forrest had resigned from the Cabinet. Subsequently Sir John Forrest explained that, acting consistently with the platform he had outlined to his constituents at the last election, he could no longer follow the policy of the Government. He had always intended to resign if the Government continued to rely for support on the Labour Party. He intended to take his seat on the Opposition benches. In consequence of Sir John Forrest's retirement the portfolios will be re-arranged, Sir William Lyne taking the portfolio of Treasurer and Mr Austin Chapman the portfolio of Customs. Mr Mangher has been appointed Postmster-General.