AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2950, 9 December 1916, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

GERMAN AGENTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH FRIENDS IX AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT. : (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Melbourne,' December 8. "• In the Federal Senate/ during'the debate on a motion to abolish- the " regulation requiring the submission •to the censor of all matter relating to the war before publication,' Senator Pearco (Minister for Defence) said'he had proof that - German agents were not 'without'friends-in the Australian Parliament. •" ,- ' . -The motion'w-as' carried by 17 votes ■to 14. ' . . ■ THE LABOUR CONFERENCE- . , ARMY INQUIRY ASKED FOR, • Melbourne, December. 8. ■The Labour Conference, passed a motion, urging the. amendment -of the constitution to empower the Commonwealth Parliament to abolish Legislative Councils and State Governors. The • conference also urged the Labour Senators, in view of the enormous expenditure and the unsatisfactory and inconsistent reports' received concerning the. arriiy, lo inovo fur the. ap-. poiritment 'of.'a Commission to inquire into' the management of the Australian' 'army." ' . - . ITEMS IN BRIEF - - - 'A LIQUOR AMENDMENT; Sydney, December 8. "'-..'The Liquor Amendment' Bill lias- received the Governor's' asseut.' It provides for the" absoluto closing of hotels ■on Christmas Day' and' Good Friday, .and the prohibition of the sale'of soft drinks after 6 o'clock. THE TOTALISATOR BILL. . .. . . . Sydney, December.B.In .the State Assembly, the Totalisator Bill v;as.read a first time. .. EIGHT HOURS BANK-TO-BANK. Brisbane, Decembzr B>' The Legislative Council has read the first time a Bill legalising the eight hours bank-to-bsnk- as interpreted by the miners.' ; =' ' REPRESSING THE I.W:W. - (Rec. December. 8,'.10.15 p.m.) ;; Sydney, December 8. • As the outcome of the recent trials, the New Soutli Wales Assembly h'as read a'first ..time the Crimes Prevention Bill, which provides for'heavy penalties on pei'sons'inciting to crime.LEG ISLATIVE APPOINTMENTS. (Rec. December 8, 10116"'p.m.) . Sydney, December .8. ' Mr. Hunt, president, and Mr. Trethoweii,:»' member of the. executive of the Farmers and Settlers' Association, have been appointed to the Now- South Wale's Legislative Cotmcil. > ' fTh» cable news in this-issue MorediUd to the London -"Times'. 1 has appeared 1b that journal, bnt .only where expressly ■tilted is such neir« the Editorial opinion of "The Timiyr."]