AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 866, 12 July 1910, Page 6

FEDERAL CAPITAL SITE. Sydney, July 6. An agitation for a reversal of tho verdict of Parliament in favour of tho YassCanberra site lor the Fedoral capital has started in Melbourne. The Melbourne

"Age," which is loading in the matter, quotes with approval the remark by Mr. O'Malley (tlie Minister <»ntx-<jlliiiK the Department) that it is not accessary to remove from Melbourne for the next 12 or 15 years. The "Age" asserts that the late elections returned a majority of members against the Tass-Canberra site, and that the people.themselves never accepted the selection with any satisfaction. "Why, then," it asks, "persevere with a site which is distasteful to both Parliament and people?" Inquiries tend to show that Mr. O'Malley's statement, and the expressions of alarm which it has evoked, that the Yass-Canberra site is in danger, have produced some consternation among Federal .Ministers. Mr. Fisher, in reply to a question, said, "My answer to all inquiries is contained in that paragraph of the Governor-General's Speech which says that all arrangements necessary for the laying out and construction of the Federal capital are being expeditiously proceeded with." Mx. J. C. Watson inclines to the belief that in 'the remark above quoted, Mr. King O'Malley has once again lapsed into "attempted humour. The ex-Premier does not think there is any likelihood of the selection of the Yass-Canberra site being disturbed. EFFICIENCY BEFORE LONG SERVICE. Mr. Thomas, the Federal PostmasterGeneral, at the telegraphists' first annual dinner at Melbourne, said that while he did not believo in every detail of tho Public Service Act, he was yet in thorough accord with the principle, and he hoped the time would never come again when a man would get a position in the service or promotion simply because he was a friend of a politician. (Cheers.) Efficiency should always bo the test of appointment and promotion. (Cheers.) If other things were equal seniority should, of course, count; but no man should be promoted simply because he had been longer in tho service than some other officer. (Cheers.) The Government should always be the best employer of labour. It ought to be a pattern employer. (Cheers.) Still, no Government could in its treatment of its employees go very much beyond the standard of what was known as a "good employer." But the higher the standard of living could be raised outside tho service so much higher should be the standard of those inside. (Applause.) On tho other hand, with the higher standard inside, there would be a tremendous competition to get in. It would bo far better for those in tho service to have loft persons applying for 200 positions than for 500 to apply for 150 positions. (Cheers.) BOY IMMIGRANTS. Twelve more English immigrant boys were included in the list of 09 new arrivals by tho steamer Salamis, which reached Melbourne on Saturday, July 2. They were selected by the secretary to the West Ham Distress Committee, Loudon, and were all unemployed. Not one of them has had experience of farming, most of them having been employed in small shops as salesmen. The boys rango in age between 18 and 20 years, and though they seem a quiet, unassuming contingent, it was found necessary on the voyage to put a special steward on duty at night to keep them in order, their weakness for skylarking proving troublesome to the other passengers and crew. The boys, when questioned as to their behaviour aboard, stated that they "were the only ones aboard who kept things alive," , A MILLION BAGS OF CHAFF, The bountiful season which the farmers of New South Wales are experiencing can be judged (says the "Herald") from the fact that from the beginning of the year up to the present time a million bags of chaft have been sent to market. The period extends over six months, and it constitute.'s a record in the deliveries since a season or so before tho great drought year. Last year for the same term 447,000 bags were marketed, and 882,000 for the year before that. Naturally, with such a big supply coming to market as has been the case this year, the importers have had a very quiet time. It was a common occurrence durine tho last couple of years for 20,000 to 30.000 bags to arrive in Sydney from Melbourne and Adelaide. This year 11m steamers carrying chatf have been very irregular with their cargoes. The season is about half-way through. The growers are holding their stocks rather tightly, notwithstanding that good prices are ruling. | They can easily secure JE4 to .£4 10s. per I ton for their choice samples, but there seem to be better prospects ahead. FEDERAL MEASURES. Among the measures to be dealt with early by the Federal Parliament are the. Defence Bill and a Bill to rectify tariff anomalies. The Defence Bill, which is in charge of Senator Pearce, will bo introduced in the Senate. Mr. fisher does not. desire it to be known when the Tariff Bill will make its appearance. He is liopeful that Parliament will allow the I Government to take up tho Navigation Bill where it left off. The Note Issue Bill will also be submitted at an early date, as will also measures to provide for referendums on the nationalisation of monopolies and utiw protection, and the extension of tho Commonwealth's powers regarding shipping. It is hoped by the Prime Minister that, in view of the long programme to be got through, the debate on the Address-in-Keply will terminate in a few days. The Government, he says, will have no hand in its prolongation.