COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2747, 28 February 1910, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

NEW SOUTH WALES DECLINING

BIRTHRATE

United Pp.ess Association —Copyright SYDNEY* Feb. 26.

Figures prepared by the State sta-tis-cian show that New South M ales had a birthrate as high as 43.9 in 1864. It has now fallen to 26.8. Australia is very low on tlie world's list, although the low death rate more than counterbalances the birth rate.

FORT NEPEAN GUN ACCIDENT

MELBOURNE, Feb. 26

Colonel Wallace, in his report on the Fort Nepean gun accident, supports the finding of the first Board of Inquiry. He says that the member of the detachment who caused the accident lost his head.

THE NEW COINAGE

The Federal Treasury has received a million shillings of the new coinage, while a million sixpences will be shipped from London next week.

THE PAPANUI ACCIDENT

The caiptain of the Papanui has asked for an inquiry to absolve him in connection with the striking of the vessel. The Victorian Marine Board communicated with the Tasmanian authorities, who replied that as the rock will now lie charted' there is no necessity for an inquiry, as it could only absolve the captain from -Marne.

A NEW ZEALAND INVENTOR. Arrangements -are being made to test the Ross-Maloney telephone transmitter, a New Zealand invention.

POSITION OF TRADES UNIONS

SYDNEY, Feb. 26

At the Wharf Laborers’' Union banquet, the secretary said they would soon be fighting the employers before the Wages Board. No doubt the latter would try to take away some little concessions they had granted, but he thought the men -would be able to show the Board they were deserving of a little more consideration in the way of (pay. The president congratulated the Union on the stand taken over the lat-e trouble. As a result, their position as trades- unions was as good today as that- of any 'other organisation in the country. He advocated aWages Board in preference to an Arbitration Court.

FOUR YEARS “HARD.”

ADELAIDE, Feb. 26

Morris, lately manager of the Gumeracha branch of the Bank of Adelaide, was sentenced to four years’ hard labor for uttering a forged cheque for £420.