AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 978, 19 November 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE CONSTITUTION BILL. Uy Telegraph—Presa Association—Oopyriffbt. Melbourne, November 18. In the Federal Senate Senator Milles moved ill favour of .more adequate reports of. Parliament being raado available to tho public.' Tlicro wero onlj seven members in tho Chamber, and the motion was carried. In tho. House of Representatives the Constitution Alteration Bill was carried through all its stages. • CUSTOMS BILL. ■ THE STANDARD OF TRADE. Melbourne, November 18. In the House of Representatives Mr. Tudor (Minister for Customs) moved the second reading of the Customs Amending Bill.. He explained that the Bill intended to give the Commonwealth power to prevent the export of goods in order that tho standard of Australia's trade may be maintained. It also gave power to . deal . with smugglers. Tho debate ivas adjourned. . The Tariff Anomalies Bill passed all its stages. , The third reading of the Bill was carried. ■ ' BUTTER EXPORTS. GRADING SYSTEM DISCUSSED. '(Rec. November 18, 10.50 p.m.) i Melbourne, November 18. In the House of Representatives, during tho discussion on .the Customs Amendment Bill, Oppositionists accused the Government of placing harassing regulations on exporters. Sir William Lyne thought that more supervision was necessary • as regardis experts.' Referring to butter, he declared that grading placed New-Zea-land far ahead of Now South Wales in the Xondon market. Mr. Greene retorted that New South Wales butter was a long way ahead of ; that of New ZealandSir W. Lyne replied that some exporters objected to Government grading because they' wanted' to send rotten butter to London. This statement met with strong dissent. REFERENDUM BILL. Melbourne, November 18. The Senate has passed, the Referendum Bill. INSURANCE COMMISSIONER'S . REPORT. THE RECOMMENDATIONS. Melbourne, November 18. The insurance .commissioner's reporl recommended that all companies be required to register with the commissioner, take out licenses,' and appoint permanent residents' in the Commonwealth as their .Australian representatives wit! plenary power. These representatives should lodge with .thei Government approved securities to the value of twentj thousand pounds, and furnish an annual revenue account and a balancesheet, distinguishing between Commonwealth and extra-Commonwealth items: also a further return^: showing t-ht ..jmount of' unexpired .-ycisfew2 onli the booto. The'commissioner to havivpowei to inspect books and other records. " The principle of reinsurance is regarded as essential to successful insurance.: . ; • ■ The issue of valued policies undertaking to pay . a 'specified sum, irrespective of the amount of the loss sustained, is considered, undesirablo. The . experience of the various companies should he classified; sud the . rates- of premiums deducted' from the . data. State fire insurance is undesirable, ; Government property should be insured i The levy on the companies for the > maintenance of- firo brigades' should be ■ discontinued. ! A. specified number of adjoining house- ' holders should be entitled to obtain. ai ' inquiry into the cause of. any fire, the expenses, of tho inquiry to bo borrn by the Crown. ■ It should be an. offence to emploj i an unregistered assessor in the adjustment of claims over a specified amount. WOMAN'S SUFFRACE, ■. 'ADVICE FOR BRITISH GOVERN- ! ; MENT. . Melbourne, November 18. In the Federal Senate, Senator Ra< proposed a motion declaring that womai suffrage lad had beneficial results ii Australia, and urging the nations en • joying representative government t< adopt it. He also moved that a copj of the resolution be cabled to tho Brit ish Prime Minister. Senator Walke: ) objected that it was an impertinonci i to try to advise-the British Govern s tnent. Tho motion was carried. ! DEMONSTRATION FARMS. j .. Sydney,-November 18. ' Mr. Trefle, honorary Minister, sayi 1 that if the Government remains ■ii 1 power it will establish twenty-five de \ monstration farms throughout the Stato f J QUEENSLAND. ® COMPREHENSIVE RAILWAY i ( SCHEME. J Brisbane, November 18. * Tho Premier (Mr. Kidiston), in thi Legislative Assembly, .unfolded ono o the most comprehensive railway scheme: y over placed before tho State. Specia •] features are a coastal lino from Rock s hampton to Cairns, and a Trans-con tinental. line with branches, o . '