AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 975, 22 August 1903, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

LABOR LAWS.

By Telegraph—Pross Association—Copyright , Melbourne, Aug. 21. The House continued tbe debate on the

second reading of the Arbitration Bill. Mr McMillan contributed a speech strongly opposing the Bill. Ho warned the House that it would only increase the friction and irritation which existed. The whole principle of the Bill was wrong. The tendency of Socialists was to rush to the legislature and drag up difficulties which they themselves had created. The Bill could have no ultimate beneficial results. The objects of the State should be to encourage the investment of capital and not alarm or drive it away. In spite of the eulogies upon the working of the Act in New Zealand the lattor was a country wherein industrial life was dominated in a way to which no Englishman should have to submit. I In the Senate Mr Robert Beid apologised for strong statements made at a public mooting regarding Federal members, including that some failed to pay their debts. Ho said bo had not the Senate in mind when he made the speech. Tho Employers’ Federation adopted a resolution having regard to the attempt being made to make the main issue of the Federal elections freetrado versus protection—this federation, composed of freetraders and proteotionists, resolves to use its utmost endeavors to force the real issue, which is Socialism versus antiSocialism.

Sir Edmund Barton refuses to agree to refer the cable agreement to a committee of representatives of the countries interested in the Pacffio cable. He states that Mr Philps' negotiations with' the British and other Governments will not affect the Ministerial policy in the slightest degree. Sir E. Barton refused the request of the Seamen’s Union to enforce a clause of tho Immigration Restriction Act against orews of oversea vessels temporarily engaged in coastal trade, holding that the second part of the clause exempted them, Sydney, Aug. 21.

In tho Assembly, a committee was appointed to inquire into the effect of using preservatives in the colony’s food supplies.. The Girls’ Protection Bill has passed the Counoil. A strong effort to reduce the age of consent below 17 was defeated. A clause was inserted providing for punishment up to fivo years penal servitude for employing, harboring or receiving into disorderly houses girls between 12 and 17. The polling day for the East Sydney electorate has been fixed for September 4. Mr Reid opens the campaign next week.