AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1590, 24 June 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

CABLEGRAMS.

iPKB UNITED PiIKSS ASSOCIATION] [BY ELECTRIC TKT.EOBA?B—COPYRIGHT]

THE KANAKA QUESTION. . Melbourne, Junn 23. The Federal Cabinet is considering despatches which recently passed between the Governor-Ceneral and the Colonial Office in reference to the subject of kanaka deportatisn while Mr Deakin was acting as Priruo Minister. It seems that the Queensland kanakas petitioned the King to disallow the sections of the Pacific Labourers' Act providing deportation. Mr Deakin urged Mr Chamberlain, through Lord Tennyson, not to grant the petition, and pointed out that it •was part of along-continued and wellorganised effort of a number of persons in Queensland, supported by the State Government, to thwart the wishes, not only of a large majority of the people of Australia, but also of the people of Queensland itself. He also laid stress on the statement that due precautions wtie being taken in carrying out the deportation. Lord Temiyson, in forwarding Mr Deakin's despatch, called attention to theße points, but advised the framing of regulations before the Royal assent was given. The Act was assented to by the King, through Lord Hopetoun, December, 1901, and although the time allowed irr disallowance by the" King has expired the question has arisen regarding the legulity of Lord Tennyson's subsequent advice. SMALL-POX IN TASMANIA. Launceston, Juno 23. There have been several cases of supposed measles in the 1 hospital lately. On the sth inst. a patient named Duggan died, and Nurso Cash subsequently developed similar symptoms and died yesterday. The disease has now been diagnosed as small-pox. Two porters, another nurse, and a laundress at the hospital have also been attacked, but are now convalescent. Three other cases are reported in different parts of tho town. The outbreak of small-pox has caused some consternation, and the doctors are much blamed for failing either to diagnose it earlier or for keeping the nature of the disease concealed. The source of the outbreak is a mystery. A passenger by the Gracchus has been in the town for several weeks, but he daily reported himself to the doctors, who, however, failed to discover any suspicions symptoms. DROUGHT IN NEW SOUTH "WALES. Sydney, Juno 23. The South Australian Government has arranged to begin to-morrow delivering 100 000 gallons of waters at Broken Hill for the ensuing year. Next week this will be increased to 200,000, failing other resources. .An effort will be made to have the supply augmented for steaming purposes in connection with the mines. The mining companies have notified the contractors that oWing to the want of ■water contracts for delivery are suspended till the end of the month. Later. At Broken Hill the Stephen's Creek ■water supply gave out suddenly today, and the operations in all the ni-nes along the line at the lode, excepting the British, which will probably close to-morrow, ceased. The proprietary company is arranging to obtain a Bupply from the ad» joining closed ones and other sources, and hopes to re-start in a few days. Meanwhile, underground work will be kept going. There is still sufficient water _ available for a fortnighc for domestic purposes. The first water train from South Australia, supplied under arrangement with the New South Wales Government, starts to-morrow. The cost is 37s 6d pe; 1000 gallons. The New South Wales Government wired to the Departmental officer at the Barrier to make all arrangements against famine. The closing of the mines has rendered idle 5000 men. MEAT IN AUSTRALIA. Melbourne, June 23, In the Federal House of Representatives Mr McDonald asked if, in view of the high prices obtaining, the Government was prepared to introduce a Bill providing for an export duty on meat. Sir Edmund Barton said the Government was not aware of any necessity for such a measure. Mr King O'Malley asked if Sir Edmund Barton would write to Mr Seddon requesting him to open his butchers' shops in the Commonwealth instead of London. SECTARIANISM IN STATE SCHOOLS. Brisbane, Juno 23. At the jubilee celebrations in connection with the Congregational Church the Rev. Mr Sargenson, of New Zealand, read a paper on religious instruction in State schools, in which he condemned religious distinctions being made among the children in public schols. A resolution was adopted adverse to the British Education Bill, and stigmatising it as unjust. PLAGUE IN SYDNEY. Sydney, June 23. A boy in Sydney has been found to be suffering from plague. Ho was employed by a printing firm in Pittstreet-. ' The plague case which has been discovered is mild. Strong efforts are being made to stimulate the public to destroy rats and take other precautions, over which they have lately been very apathetic. Queensland has already declared Sydney an effected port. THE PACIFIC CABLE. Brisbane, Juno 23. Private advices from Canada show that tho annual me.-ting of the Empire Lengue was held in tho Dominion a few weeks ago. A resolution was adopted advising the Government to send a delegation, including at least one Cabinet Minister, to Australia to discuss the misunderstanding over the Pacific cables. WESTRALIAN GOLD. Perth, Juno 23. The R.M.s. Arcadia shipped £157.000 in specio for India, and £SOOO for London. AN EXECUTION. Brisbane, June 23. A Kanaka named fcowtoo was executed to-day for the murder of a little girl. Death waa instantaueoiu.