AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9046, 12 March 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association -By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

WATERSIDE WORKERS' DISPUTE. Received March 12, 1.12 a.m. SYDNEY, March 11. A serious development has arisen in connection with the dispute which has existed for some time between the wharf labourers and some of the coastal companies regarding the employment of non-unionists on their wharves, and as a result a general call-out of the waterside workers was announced late to-night. The ballot almost unanimously favoured not handling any cargo in company with non-unionists after midnight tonight. The position is critical, and it is feared ic may involve a general strike. ACCIDENT TO A TRAIN. ELEVEN PASSENGERS INJURED. deceived MarchUl;9..3B p.m. SYDNEY, March 11. An accident occurred to the northwestern mail from Narrabri. All traffic on the northern line was blocked for several hour^. Details of the accident show that a refrigerating car next to the engine lefc the rails, and then two secondclass carriages became derailed, and toppled over a slight embankment. The remainder of the train kept the line- Many were asleep :at ;the time, and were rudely awakened by the shock. Those in the overturned cars behaved splendidly. The darkness impeded the work of rescue until ,fires were lighted by which passengers remained.- The injured were tended until the arrival of the reliel trains. Altogether eleven were injured—all slightly. The damage to the rolling stock is heavy. BOYCOTT OP JAPANESE GOODSMONSTER MEETING AT CANTON. Received March 11, 8.44 a.m. HONG KONG, March 10. A monster meeting at Canton, resenting the release of the steamer Tatsu Maru, recently seized by the Chinese authorities on the ground that it was supposed to be carrying arms for Chinese rebels, resolved to boycott Japanese manufactures. FATALITY AT MOTOR EACES. THREE PERSONS KILLED. Received March 11, 9.57 p.m. CAIRO, March 11.Motor races that were being held here in honour of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, were abruptly closed owing to a car swerving and killing three persons and injuring ten in the crowd. THE KAISER'S LETTER. THE BANTERING OF LORD ESHER. Received March 11, 9 a.m. LONDON, March 10. "The Times" says:—"The Kaiser doubtless bantered Lord Esher, but the substance of his letter was a long, elaborate 'argument, involving labour and time, and intended to demonstrate that German naval preparations did not necessitate ceresponding British additions." RUMOURS OFFICIALLY DENIED. Received March 11, 8.23 a.m. LONDON. March 10. A statement to the effect that Great Britain and Germany exchanged views regarding the Kaiser's letter, or in reference to reduction in naval armaments, is officially denied in London. Official statements published in London and Berlin agree that the good relations between the countries remain undisturbed. "The Times" argues that Lord Tweedrnouth did nol deny its statements that the Kaiser's letter was elaborate in character, and intended to persuade the British Admiralty that German preparations by no means came at a critical moment; also that it was not calculated to strengthen the hands of the advocates of adequate defences. People could hardly help reflecting that the Government had the power to publish Lord Tweedmouth's reply, and if it did not contain anything relating lo his department such publicat on would relieve anxiety. Received March 11, 10.5 p.m. BERLIN, March 11. The German Government has sent a courier to London to obtain a copy of the Kaiser's letter, as none existed in Berlin.