CONSCRIPTION IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2889, 29 September 1916, Page 6

CONSCRIPTION IN AUSTRALIA

f' THE BEFERENDUM CAMPAIGN SINGLE MEN TO BE CALLED UP ON MONDAY By TeteapU-Prcss Association-Copyright (Rec.' September 28, 10.25 p.m.) \ Meibourne, September 28. benator Poarco (Federal Defence Minister) has definitely announced' tlat jll tmslo moi l from 21 to 35 ,will be caUedl Aip pn Monday. Men hitherto rejected as unfit will .be required' to undergo a furfchor examination, i POLITICAL LEADERS SINK DIFFERENCES

- Sydney, September 28. Mr. \\. A. Holmaii (New .South AVales Premier) and Mr. Wade (Leader .or the Opposition) havo sunk party differences and formed a National Referendum Council to effect an; organisation rto secure a majority voto.in favour of ■ conscription. 1 •, , - THE MLUIRIED-IN-HASTE SHIRKER. r Melbourne/September 28. Mr. W. 31. Hughes states ,that men. mid havo msrriedl since tho aunoiwcemilitary policy on August ,30 will ho regarded single men. THE LABOUR "SET" AT .MR HDGHES (Roc. September,23,.s.os pm.) „ . Sydney, September 28. . Sydney W!harf. TJn3on lias expaM Mr. W. M. Hughes (tho Federal' Premier), froirL the -union, by a fiv-e-to-one majority. -

In.reply to a question put to him last week as to what he liad ; to say and as to .what'ho was going to do in roferenoe to tho resolution or tho Sydney Political Labour League executive m; expelling him .from . the' Labour .movement, Sir. Hughes; Prime Minister, said: "What am I going to do? I ;am going' on! Idp not recognise either the authority or the right of ths'P.L.L. oxecuttve to expel me. In this the greatest crisis of the civilised world—a -crisis in*_which Democracy and Labour .are fighting for their existence—this secret junta (fores to tell me and those wip stand with mo on fear of expulsion that we must not speak as our consciences direct! But while I live I; shall say that which I think to. be aright, and'on this great .'question, whi'oli stands far above all party, nothing that tley can ! Bay or do shall l preventing from pointing out to my fejlow citizens what has to be done to win, this war." ,

THE . WAR TAXES 'ADDITIONAL FIGURES. Mfllbourne,' September. 28. In the Federal House of Representatives the Federal' Treasurer (Mr'. W. G. Higgs) stated ■ that the revenue from all sources was estimated at £127,836,-291,-as against'£9l,os2, o32'in 1915-16. - The total war expenditure was estimated at £85,299,500. : In arriving at //this'figure it was. estimated that the average strength of the forces during 1916-17 would be 267,132. The cost of - maintaining an average! of 50,000 men' in was. £11,862,500. ■ War pensions during 'the previous . yearhad; oost £129,273;, the estimate ■• • for tho oun-enb year was £1,000,000. 53)_e • military ••emaKtituie last year totalled £33,949,104; the estimate for this year was £73,670,616. i 'Us estimated publio debt at June 30, 1917, is £175,597,000, of whioh the- : war debt will cmbraoo £141,789,479. • OLD AGE PENSIONS INCREASED. (Reo. September 28, 5.55 p.m.) ' Melbourne,' September, 28. The Federal Budget provides for an. in tho old age invalid pensions from 10s. to 12s. 6tf., which will involve an additional annual 'espendi•turo/of £87,000. Last year, the pensions cost £2,659,766, find tho maternity allowances absorbed £650,715. For nerw works £4,394,187 has been .• allotted, including : £150,000 for, the Federal capital, oh Which £856,000 lias already jeen spent. ' ; Tho House, received tho . taxation proposals choorfully. •, The Federal Treasurer (Mr. Higgs), ' -explaining'the war profits tax standards of five and six per cent, for 1915-16, and seven and eight per cent, for, 1916-\ ~ 17,'Said that tho lower rate in. each in- . stance refers' to. companies, and tho • < higher to private firms, as distinguished ■ 'from/the pre-war standard.. PUBLIC OPINION ON THE NEW - IMPOSTS.; . ■ , (Rec. September 28, 10.25 p.m.) Sydney, September 28. ' It js generally conceded that the new taxes fall heavily on all classes. Manufacturers and shippers accept the war Ejfits tax cheerfully, although it is ely to hit films with small capitals, i. Theatrical \ proprietors oppose 'tho -. amusement tax, which is levieS on the '. takings, instead of on profits.