THE COMMONWEALTH.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 963, 2 November 1910, Page 7

THE COMMONWEALTH.

MINISTER'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyriffht. MOlbourno, November 1. Replying to a deputation, Mr. King O'Malley, Foderal Minister for Home Affairs, said he had discovered Ministerial responsibility to be a fiction. The Departmental heads wero tiod down by a thousand-year-old system. When he had obtained his freedom he would do what ho could for tho deputation. BILLETS FOR UNIONISTS. Melbourne, November 1. All future Federal Government contracts will contain a Clause giving preference to unionists. This is said to be the result of pressure' by tho unions on the caucus. The Government is alleged to take the view that it represents, primarily, members of trades unions, and that it must givo its own supporters first claim to Government employment. 1 IMPERIAL CABLE SCHEME.. Melbourne, November 1. The 'Federal Government has received a cable mossage from Sir George Reid, High Commissioner for Australia, stating that he is getting data with regard to a State-owned cable. Thero is, ho said, tho possibility of an alternative route, which would work four times faster with far fewer mistakes.

SHORTAGE OF ARTILLERYMEN. Melbourne, November 1. Diffioulfcy is being exporionced in obtaining men for tho Royal Australian Artillery. Tho artillery in Victoria and New South Wales are both below the establishment.

NORTHERN TERRITORY BILL. (Rec. November 2, 1.0 a.m.) Melbourne, November 1. After the Cup adjournment the House of Representatives resumed tho ■discussion of the Northern Territory Bill, which lias reached its third reading stage.