AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9058, 18 February 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Associaiion—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

THE TIMBER STRIKE

PROSPECTS OF IMMEDIATE

SETTLEMENT,

Received February 17, 11.53 p.m SYDNEY, February 17.

After a conference of the Timber Merchants Association and a deputation of strikers and representatives of other unions interested, an announcement was officially made that good prospects of an immediate settlement of the trouble. A further conference will be held tomorrow. It is understood that the proposal is to submit the trouble to arbitration, each side appointing a representative, with an umpire.

THE ARBITRATION ACT. SUGGESTED AMENDMENT. Received February 17, 9.53 a.m. SYDNEY, February 17. A mass meeting of timber strikers resolved to ask the Premier to call Parliament together to amend the Arbitration Act.

NEWCASTLE? COLLIERIES

TROUBLE.

Received February 17, 11.35 p.m. SYDNEY, February 17. All the Newcastle collieries are working to day. Consequently the special Court has resumed its sittings.

SYDNEY STATISTICS,

Received February 17, 10 a.m. SYDNEY, February 17. The population of Sydney and suburbs at the end of last- year was 550,600. The marriage rate for the year was the highest since 1888, and the birth rate the highest for ten years.

AN EARTHQUAKE,

NO DAMAGE DONE,

Received February 17, 10 a.m

SYDNEY, February 17,

A slight shock of earthquake was felt at Gungadai on Saturday. Pottery rattled, but no damage was done.

THE NEW MAIL CONTRACT.

Received February 17, 10 a.m. MELBOURNE. February 17. The Commonwealth Government has been advised that the new mail contract has been signed and executed by the Orient S.S. Company and a London guarantee society.

A NEW STEAMER

Received February 17, ? 10 a.m. MELBOURNE, February 17. The Huddart-Parker Company's new steamer Ulimaroa, intended for the Australian-New Zealand trade, has arrived from Dundee.

STRANDED BULGARIANS.

TO BE. HELPED BY SOCIALISTS.

Received February 17, 10 a.m. MELBOURNE, February 17,

A Socialist meeting decided to assist the stranded Bulgarians in getting a start in Australia. (It is said that the Bulgarians, who arrived in Sydney in a destitute condition, came to Australia as the result of wicked and misleading representations by certain unscrupulous agents, whom it has been impossible to identify. These agents guaranteed to land them in New Zealand or Aus tralia; but that they .yould not be responsible if the Government of either country objected to their landing. The Bulgarians had been informed that they would get work as soon as they landed, payment at the rate of one pound a day being guaranteed until they secured emp'oyment.)

SYDNEY WOOL SALES,

Received February 18, 1 a.m. SYDNEY, February 17. At the wool sales there, was keen competition, and prices were well maintained.

QUEENSLAND POLITICS

MR KIDSTON UNDERTAKES TO FORM A MINISTRY.

Received February 18, 1 a.m. BRISBANE, February 17. Mr Kidstone has undertaken to form a Ministry.