AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 2993, 18 September 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

CABLE -NEWS.

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph Copyright,

TASMANIAN LICENSING BILL

Received September 17, 10 II a.m. HOBART, Soptembar 17. The Legislative Council eliminated from the Licensing Bill the clause providing for the prohibition of thi employment of barmaids.

A TOWN CLERK'S ARREST. Received September 17, 10.11 a.m. SYDNEY, September 17. With reference to yesterday's cable regardi"g the arrest of E. F. Smith, Town Clerk of Woodstock, Cape Colony, South African files show that the Woodstock Council, after Smith's arrest, passed a resolution expressing continued confidence in hitn, and granted him three mouths' leave of absence on full pay in order to allow him to defend the charge. Smith is. charged with fraud in connection with the purchase of a farm by the Woodstock municipality. His brother, Septimus Smith, was arrested in Australia a fortnight ago charged with being an accessory. A FUTILE CONFERENCE. Received September 17, 10.17 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 17> A conference between tha Steamship Owners' Federation and the Institute of Marine Engineers—the latter having asked for reconsideration of the agreement fixing the hours and rates of pay—proved futile. The engineers have announced that it is probable they will appeal to the Federal Arbitration Court. THE "NEW PROTECTION." Received September 17, 10.17 a m. MELBOURNE, September 17. The Federal Prime Minister, Mr Deakin, replying to a question in the House, said that as soon as the official text of the .High Court's decision was received, Ministers would consider the question of legislating in the direction of allowing the union label to be legally used. GOOD ADVICE. Received September 17, 10.17 p.m. MELBOURNE, September 17. Lord Dudley, Governor-General, speaking at the Federal Speaker's dinner, advised legislators to prevent by all means in their power the appearance of the cancerous growths which in older countries has times stifled progress and hindered freedom, but at the same time to remember that although the eld countries may have faults, they also have experience. AN INTERESTING DISCOVERY. Received September 17, J0.17 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 17. An interesting discovery of splendid specimens «of fossil trilobites (Phocops meridianus) has been made at Portland. The find has proved the existence of Silruian rocis in Devonian strata.