LATE CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 962, 7 August 1903, Page 2

LATE CABLES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Deceived 11.23 p.m., Aug. 6. Sydney, Aug. 6. The steamer Argus has been docked. It is estimated that the damages amount to £3OOO. Sailed, at 4.15 p.m., the Zealandia, for Auckland. Norfolk Island, Aug. 6. The first meeting of tHc now Executive Council was held yesterday. Melbourne, Aug. 6. Sailed, the Moeraki. In the House, on the Defence Bill, Mr Higgins objecied to the clauso making the permanent forces liable to servo beyond the Commonwealth. Ho said they could always find volunteers. Sir John Forrest agreed that there wa3 no immediate necessity for the clause, but only “ Little Australians ” would tie the forces to our territory. He asked if NowZealand were invaded, what could we do?

Mr Higgins interrupted, amidst expressions of approval, “ Send volunteers.” Sir John Forrest said that there was too much of this Littlo Australian policy, which acknowledged no obligation. To destroy the clause would make us look small, but eventually he agreed to striking out the clause, and progress was reported. The debate on the second loading of the Arbitration Bill was resumed. Mr Beid, in the courso of a geuorally favoiable speech, said that ho was supporting the measuro as an experiment, but could not shut his eyes to the fact that some of the provisions were most serious violations of the laws upon which our political and social life was based. He hoped tho result of the experiment would show that Australia could win victories and sot examples to tho whole world. Tho agitation amongst

the labor bodies hero in favor of the Bill reflected infinite credit on them for their willingness to trust their liberty aud subsistence to judicial decision. It was one of the grandest exhibitions of willingness to sacrifice tho weapon in their own hand, and without parallel in other parts of the world. He hoped the Bill would bo passed, and after a time a more national and voluntary system brought about that would find employers and employees settling disputes without the result of legal machinery.