AUSTRALIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3005, 16 February 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT

FUSION ACCOMPLISHED

OPPOSITION CRITICISM CUT SHORT

(Itec. February 15, 7.30 p.m.) Melbourne, February 15. When the Federal House met to-day; Mr. Hughes (the Prime Minister) moved an adjournment, and announced that an amalgamation between the Ministerial and Liberal Parties had been arrived at. Ho moved for anadjournment till Thursday, when a statement would bo mado regarding all matters* including the policy of the hew Government. Mr. Tudor (Leader of tlio new Official Labour Party) protested against the incompleteness of Mr. Hughes's statement, aud said that the Official Labour Party was invited to join the new Government, but had refused, to ha-vo anything to do with fusion. Further protests were cut short by the Ministerialists and Liberals leaving the House, which was then counted out. —Press Association.

CABINET NOTTETSETTLED.: (Roc. February 15, 11.55 pit.) Melbourne, February 15. Though agreement lias been reached between the Ministerialists and tha Liberals, the allotment of Ministerial.' portfolios is efcill unsettled.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLICY CONCESSIONS TO TRADE. UNIONISTS. (Rcc: February 15, 11.55 p.m.)' Sydney, February 15. The New South Wales Premier (Mtv W. A. Holman), in delivering a policy speech at Gundagai to-night, announced that he intended to provide a home for. each invalid soldier, anil raise his allowance to £2 weekly. The Government would also. secure the right of trada unionists to start undertakings such as newspapers, and raise politioal funds. They would give individual .member* the right to join in or not, without losing their status. Strikes were no* to be regarded as crimes. Except hi' certain cases trade unionists would be free to choose whether they would rely upon strikes or arbitration. He also announced that there would be optional leasehold or freehold land tenures, with the right of conversion.