LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4958, 22 February 1895, Page 2

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Received February 22,10.46 a.m.) Meeiioeiixe, February 22. The Royal Humane Society has presented a silver medal to Dunlop, engineer, and Kendall, steward, for heroic conduct at the wreck of the Wairarapa. In connection with the policy of retrenchment in the civil service, a circular has been sont to the heads of the various departments asking them to enquire if any of the employes arc willing to retire on pensions computed upon the length of service, or in the case of those who are not entitled to pensions on six months full pay. It is believed a large number will avail themselves of the offer.

The revenue of the Telegraphic service for the year 1894, showed a general decline of 5.76 per cent., as compared with tho previous year. Local fees for foreign business, showed a decrease of 20.41 per cent. Uhisdane, February 22. The northern rivers are in high flood, and arc still rising. Many settlors are Hooded out, and the crops on the Hals destroyed. The mails from the south have been blocked for three weeks.

HoBAKT, February 22. Tlic Premier has formally protested against the proposed South Austra-lian-N.Z. reciprocal treaty as being opposed to the spirit of federation. He has also written to the Premiers of Victoria and South Australia asking them if they are disposed to reopen the reciprocity negotiations broken off some time ago as inopportune, ponding tlto consideration of tho federation proposals. (Received Fobrnary 22, ] 1 a.m.) Jlkli;ol'k.vk, February 22. Mr 11. M. liest, Minister of Trade and Customs, replying to n deputatioh from the Harbour Trust, asking that a refund of the wharfage rates bo allowed on foods transhipped from Melbourne, admitted that there had been a most serious decline in the trade of the port, and said it was the duty of tho Government to try and restore it lo its former position. The proposal made by the deputation was a risky one, and meant a concession of £4,000 a-year, but in view of the importance of the matter he was prepared to try an experiment, and guarantee the trust any loss up to £o,")00 occurring in the first year. Syuxky, February 22. The UcraU referring to the attitude of Victoria towards the New Zealand-South Australian reciprocal treaty says though it may bo perfectly natural, the action is one which comes with a flavor of novelty from statesmen beyond the Murray. The proposed treaty is likely to do more harm than good. If such treaticsaro made between one Colony and another the dignity of the Australasian policy will disappear, aud in its placo wo may havo the poorest type of vestry policy.