AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9084, 8 May 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A STORMY SCES'E. Received May 8. 12.58 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 7. There was a stormy scene in tie House to-night. During the discussion on the kerosene duties, Sir William Lyne interjected, "I am told that there is no use going on because the Standard Oil Company have the numbers in their bag." Mr George Reid, rising to a point of order, characterised the statement as slanderous. It was a scandalous thing to say, giving currency to the infamous slanders uttered outside the House, that a member could be bought in connection with the tariff. It was most abominable that the greatest slander ever cast on members should come from a Minister of the Ciown. '

Sir William Lyne interjected: "I say*deliberately that a message has been brought to me"—adding amidst a storm of dissent—"that the Company has been to every member and tried to get a promise. The Company have got a list of members who had' premised them support. So much has been said about this outside the House that I turned the representative of the Company out of my office. It is scandalous that men should be sent from America to force the matter through. I cast no imputation on members, hut vvp have bad quite enough nf this from America." Asked as to how members were influenced, Sir William Lyne said by persuasion. He did not know that any member was bribed. A noisy scene continued for a considerable time, members holly attacking Sir William Lyne and denying having been approached by the Standard Oil Company.

Eventually Sir William Lyne with-, drew the charge unreservedly. Pressed to give Ihe name of his informant, he stated that the information came from onj of his colleagues.

BRITISH BROKEN HILL COMPANY. NO DIVIDEND. Rceeived May 7,, 9.18 a.m. SYDNEY, May 7. The report of the British Broken Hill Company shows a profit of £48,701. The directors recommend that no dividend shall be paH, as it is essential that the Company's financial strength should be maintained to meet requirements for new plant and the expenses of maintenance, development, and contributions to a water supply scheme. THE FOUNDERiNGOF THE BEG A. Received May 7, 9.27 p m. SYDNEY, May 7. At the Marine Court inquiry into the foundering of the Bepra, tho master, Captain Bishop, in his evidence said that the atsamer bad been re- . cently overhauled at a cost of £2,000, and was in good condition and well found. He could not account for the foundering unless the vessel sprang aleak. WRECK OF A BARQUE. Received May 7, 9.27 p.m. SYDNEY, May 7. The underwriters have been advised that the barque Italia has been wrecked at Valparaiso, bound from Newcastle to Iquique coal laden.