AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9104, 2 June 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

LANDOWNERS AND THEIR LAND. IMPOSITION (JF TAXATION. VICTORIA'S POLICY. Received June 1, 9.55 a.m. MELBOURNE, June 1. The Hon. T. Bent, Victorian Premier, in his policy speech, said the tim'i had arrived for the imposition of taxation to compel landowners to put their land to proper use. He intended to submit a Land Valuation Bill, to provide a graduated land tax, and make pi-ovision against the aggregation of large estates. He foreshadowed railway extension to open up the country. The water conservation schemes now in hand would provide for an additional population of at least 400,000. AN EPIDEMIC OF FIRES. Received June 1, 5.5 a.m. SYDNEY, June 1. There has been an epidemic of fires at Broken Hill on three Saturdays, for tha month of May, and seventy-two since the commencement of the year. OBITUARY. Received June 1, 9.55 a.m. SYDNEY, June 1. The death is announced of the Rev. Mr Maclnnas, a minister of the Presbyterian Church at Ashfield, and an ex-Moderator. MT. LYELL COMPANY. A DIVIDEND AND BONUS. Received June 1, 9.55 a.m. MELBOURNE, June 1. The Mount Lyell Company has declared a dividend of fifteen-penae and a bonus of sixpence, payable on June 15th. A SCHOONER WRECKED. Received June 1, 11.25 p.m. SYDNEY, Jurii 1. Island advices state thut the schooner Laurel, owned in Fiji, grounded on a reef at the Gilbert Group, and became a total wreck. The crew escaped in a boat. MANSLAUGHTER. Receivec" June 1, 11.25 p.m. SYDNEY, June 1. Beai, who was convicted of the manslaughter of Richards aboard the Somerset on April 11th last, has been sentenced to two years' hard labour.

DESTRUCTION OF RATS. Received June 2, 12.53 a.m. SYDNEY, June 1. As a result of fumigations received in Melbourne and Sydney nearly one thousand rats were destroyed on board the steamer Imiaminca. A considerable number of them were plague, infected.