AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2612, 6 November 1915, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

REFERENDUM POSTPONED COMPROMISE BY THE FEDERAL' GOVERNMENT. By'Tolesraph—Press Association—Oopyrlzbt Melbourne, November 5. In tho Federal House of Representatives, after suspension of business by both. Houses to permit of a caucus meeting, Mr. Hughes (the Prime Minister) announced' that in accordance with an agreement with the State Premiers the ■Labour Party had decided to postpone 'the referendum until after the war. He ■explained that the State Premiers would, .'■bring forward in their respective Parliaments legislation providing for the reference, during the war and the first jyear of peace,'to the Commonwealth (Parliament of the powers sought in the proposed referendum, subject to certain 'limitations.

Hie Premiers at a later date would consider what powers tho States would bo; willing to permanently surrender. ;\Vith a'-view to removing any doubt as to the power of tho States to refer these matters to tho Commonwealth for a limited timej an Act of the Imperial Parliament would bo sought. Mr. ■Hughes added that since they had boon able _to get these powers during tho war in another way than by. referendum they would feel they had done right in accepting the offer of the State Premiers. THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL MOMENT 1 STRIKE IN THE BREWERIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrfjfht (Rcc. November 6, 1.35 a.m.) Sydney, November 5. ■ Tile, city to-day had a foretaste of a looming big thirst to-morrow. The liquor trade employees struck for an increase of wages from £2 8s; to £3 3s. weekly, and a decrease in tho working hours from 48 to 44. Hotels, wine and spirit establishments, breweries, and aerated water factories aro all involved. Unfortunately tho weather is sultry, | and the whole of the Northern Suburbs are experiencing a water famino. ITEMS IN BRIEF. HOTEL CLOSING BILL HUNG UP. (Rec. November 6, 1.35 a.m.) Sydney, November E. In the State Assembly Mr. Holman stated that the Hotel Bill had passod its third reading in the Assembly in his absence, and therefore he had arranged to hang it up in the Council, awaiting tho.action of the opponents to the measure. DRUNKENNESS AMONGST THE SOLDIERS. . - Sydney, November 5. Concerted measures have been adopted fry tho military authorities and the publicans to oheck drunkenness among soldiers.