AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2515, 17 July 1915, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

THE PARTY MACHINE IN POLITICS. ' 'A DEGRADING INFLUENCE. By: Telegraph—l'ress Association-Copyright , Sydney, July 16. At the Farmers' Conference, Mr. Beeby eaid that political machinery had degraded politics; there was no semblance of democracy. The machino was denying the right of a substantial majority to political representation.- Tho only way' to overcome this was by proportional ' representation. The meeting decided on the following planks of its platform: —Electoral lefcrm, national insurance, decentralisation, vigorous policy of immigration, extension of railways, closer settlement, and the extension and definition of Federal powers. FEDERAL WAR LOAN. MR. FISHER. REVIEWS THE SITUATION. Melbourne, July 16. The Prime Minister (Mr. Andrew Fisher) has introduced the War Loan Bill of twenty millions, which will be applied only to expenses of tiie war and borrowing. , Speaking in the House, the Pmne Minister stated that the Imperial ruthorities had. accepted the Commonwealth's offer to double the October and November Reinforcements, making 10,526 men per month, instead of 5263; and also to send one infantry brigade with a brigade signal seotion,. brigade train, and field ambulance, leaving in November, „- ENGOURACINC THE WHEAT GROWERS. STATE GUARANTEES MINIMUM PRICE. Sydnoy, July 16. In the Assembly, Mr. Graham (Assist-ant-Minister of Agriculture) stated that the Government -intended. guaranteeing four shillings per bushel for wheat grown on additional areas for the coming harvest. If growers got more, all tho better. He outlined a scheme for bulk wheat handling,, providing an elevator with a capacity of 1,250,000 busliels in Sydney, nnd 55 smaller elevators in the country. The whole cost of the scheme would be £2,250,000. ITEMS IN BRIEF. RECORD CATTLE AND BEEF, PRICES.. (Rcc. July 16,. l 0 p.m.) Sydney, July 16. Further record prices for cattle and beef are reported from Homebush. Shorthorn bullocks fetched £37 15s. a head, and beef from 70s. to 75b. per' 1001b. , VEILED DISEASES. (Rec. July 16, 10 p.m.) Sydney, July 16. The Select Committee on venereal diseases has commenced its Sittings. Dr. Paton advocated examination before marriage. , NO SEIZURE OF NEXT SEASON'S WHEAT CROP. (Rec. July 16, 10 p.m.) . Sydney, July 16. The Government does not propose to seize next season's wheat crop. REFERENDUM BILLS PASSED. | (Rec. July 16, 10 p.m.) Melbourne, 1 July, 16. In the FedeKxirSehate/the'-Referen-dum Bills were read a third time, QUEENSLAND FLOUR UP TO £17 Ss. (Rec. July 16, 10 p.m.) Brisbane, July 16. :' Flour has increased by 20s. per ton to £17 55.; .bran and pollard have decreased 405., to £9. FEDERAL'GOLD YIELD* [ (Rec. July 16, 10.15 p.m.) , Melbourne, July 16. The half-yearly gold, yield for Australia totalled 575,019 ounces, a decrease of '48,255 ounces..