COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3135, 3 February 1911, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS.

A QUAINT SUGGESTION

[United press association copyright., SYDNEY. Feb. 2.

Amongst the correspondence dealt with at the Labor Conference was a letter from a rabbiter, suggesting that Sir George Reid be asked to dine on Australian rabbit, with the object of popularising it in England. THE BIBLE TER-CENTENARY. It is proposed to hold a great- public meeting in celebration of the Bible tercentenary on March 27. THE RECENT PRISON-BREAKING. In connection Avith the recent escape of prisoners at Darlinghurst gaol, one warder has been dismissed and another fined. COMMONWEALTH PREMIER ON PREFERENCE. MELBOURNE. Feb. 2.

Mr Fisher, referring to his proposed notion at the Imperial Conference in relation to preferential trade, declared lie would not ask the people of Australia to do anything Avhich would make tlu* lot of the toiling masses of Britain harder or increase the price at Avliich they can get food, for their children. The good sense of the people of Australia Avould prevent- them desiring that the food of Britain should be increased in price, eA _ en for the sake of preferential trade. FRNCH NAVAL OFFICERS BANQUETTEI).

The Federal GoA-ornmcnt b.anq netted the admiral and officers of the French criuser Montcalm. (Speeches congratulatory on tlie growing friendship of tlie French and English Avero delivered by Mr Fisher and the admiral. OLD AGE AND INVALID PENSIONS'.

The Commonwealth is paying old age and invalid pensions to 73,915 persons. TASMANIA’S LOSS THROUGH FEDERATION. HOBART. Feb. 2.

Giving evidence before a Royal Commission inquiring into the financial loss sustained by Tasmania through Federation, Sir Elliott Lewis said the whole of the other States had gained an average of £1,626,000 annually by Federation. Tasmania had lost £114,000 annually. Another effect- Avas that large factories on the mainland had developed under Federation, compelling some of the .smaller ftietores of Tasmania to close, and rendering others less profitable.

WEST AUSTRALIAN POLITICS' PERTH. Feb. 2.

The Assembly passed a Bill making preferential voting compulsory, also the second reading of the Loan Bill, authorising a loan of £2 104).000 for the construction of the . railways and public works. HOT WEATHER. The weather is extremely hot, a tefnperaturc of 102 degrees being registered, yesterday. THE COOGEE I-lERO FUND. (Received Feb. 3. 1.8 a.m. ) SYDNEY, Fob. 2.

Tremendous interest is being taken in tin' Coogee Hero Fund. Nearly £2OO has already been, collected: The Governor and Premier and Lord Mayor are extending their patronage to tomorrow’s stadium function in aid of the fund.