POLITICS AND THE REFERENDUM

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 7

POLITICS AND THE REFERENDUM

POLITICAL EXPULSIONS WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED CONSCRIPTION (fly Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Melbourne, December 6. Afc the Interstate Labour Conference there were delegates from every State with the exception of West Australia. Delegates vigorously condemned Mr. iW. M. Hughes and his followers for refusing to oppose conscription, and a motion was passed expelling them from the movement, and also all Federal members who had advocated conscription or formed another political party. Senator Gardiner opposed tho motion, and members of the Federal Labour Party announced that they intended to move deposing him from the leadership of the party in the Senate. In an interview Senator Lynch said the expulsion was without doubt tho . limit of audacity and lawlessness, as the conference was illegal. Tho upheaval in the movement .was chiefly due to tho weakness and insincerity of the so-oalled' leaders. The' fact that the man who was branded as a traitor in the east was considered a. trusted leader in, the west, was -duo to the leaders in the west, who stood hp to their duty, while those in the cast cowered in fear and trembling of irresponsible Trades Hall juntas. Had those spurious leaders of public thought stood manfully to their 'guns and. spoken' instead of stifling their thoughts, consoription would have been carried by half a- million votes. A SPLIT. WEST AUSTRALIA WITHDRAWS. (Rec. December 6, 6.40 p.m.) Melbourne, December 6. \ After the Labour Conference had' adopted the resolution expelling the conecriptionist Federal members, objections were raised about the State conscript tionist members. This led to the remaining West Australian representatives withdrawing, leaving West Australia unrepresented. The executive of the West Australian Labour Federation cabled the secretary of the conference to the effeot that its action in refusing to sit with the West Australians would be regarded as an outrage. HARMONY RESTORED. (Rec. December 6, 7 p.m.) Sydney, December 6. Harmony prevailed at to-day's session of. the Labour Conference. The expelled members were absent. The other three West Australian delegates were present. i ■ FRESH DEMANDS BY THE MINERS INCREASED WAGES IN NEW, ' SOUTH WALES. Sydney, December 6. The Council of the Miners' Federation is demanding a conference with the proprietors not later than this week to discuss the question of increased wages. SEQUEL TO I.W.W. CRIMES LAWS OF DISCIPLINE 'TO BE TIGHTENED. ' (By Telegraph-Press Association-Oopyriffht (Rec. December 6, 6.40 p.m.) • Sydney, December 6: As the result of the Judge's comments when sentencing the LW.W. prisoners, the Government intends to tighten and make more summary the law relating to tho incitement to crime. AUSTRALIA'S WAR TAXATION A TAX FOR REPATRIATION ' PURPOSES, fey TeWraph-Prti&s A6Booiation-Copyriglit (Rec. December 6, 10.15 p.m.) Melbourne, December 6. The Federal Treasurer has announced a reduction of the war-time profits tax. The Government, he said!, had decided to limit the tax to SO per cent, of war profits over tho permitted percentages of the first year of, war, and 75 percent. on > the:second' year. Mining companies and 1 fruit-growing concerns would be exempt. He outlined a new scheme of wealth conscription for repatriation purposes, whereoy an annual payment of 6s. per cent, would be made on wealth per year for five years. The income tax would be increased 25 per cent., auH an entertainments tax would be levied on tickets over sixpence.

THE WOOL SITUATION NEW ZEALAND CLIP AND THE COMMANDEER. (Rec. December 6j 9.45 p.m.) London, , December 5. It is understood that Wo Bradford experts have been appointed to deal with the New; Zealand clip when it arrives. This has intensified the impression that tho Army Counoil intends to take entire control. It will mean a new Government organisation. In the meantime there is much doubt whether the London sales will be hold on December 12. The "Wool Conference has decided to take a census of stocks of wool, tops, yarn, and cloth in: the United Kingdom on December 21. It is understood that if there should be a surplus after Home requirements are provided for tho exportation of wool cloth will be permittod to the United States and South 'America.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

More spartan diet for BRITISH DINERS (Rec. December 6, 9.20 p.m.) London, December 5. ■ An order by the Board of Trade limits tho meals at public places and boarding-houses to three courses in the evening and two courses at other meals. Choose is not reckoned, while meatless and Ashless dinners, hors d'oeuvrcs, soup, and dessert are counted as half a course each. A further order is foreshadowed providing for universal meatless days.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asen.Beuter. BOXING CHAMPIONS TO MEET WILLARD V. CAR-PENTIER. New York, December 5. It is expected that Jess Willard, the heavy-weight champion of the world, will fight Georges Carpentier, the French champion, at New York shortly, in the interests of the Allies' War Relief Fund.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. The British Governinont, after January, will take over all patent still whisky made in Scotland. Only 70 per cent, of the present consumption will be allowed to be distilled by malt distillers. The total prohibition of whisky Is not suggested. Tho spirit is tha best known substance in making high explosives.—Thn "Times." The cheese negotiations with the Imperial Government are proceeding. The ftrioe has not yet been fixed.—Aus.*v.Z. Cable As an, ,