AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1920, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

IPKiI I'UEHH ASSOCIATION. — AUSTRALIAN NEWS. September 17. The LabouF' Council has rejected by 52 to 44 a Trades Hall sabotage proposal. NW and increased Federal liquor j and tobacco duties camg into operation to-day for the first time. MELBOURNE, September 17. The Queensland Federal M.P., Mr Higgs, who was elected by Labourites, and who later began to criticise the Party and advocate union with the Country Party has made a further political move. Since his expulsion by the Labour Party, He has up till the present been sitting as an Independent in the House. Now, however, despite the good relations between Labour and the Farmers Party, Mr Higgs has just joined the Hughes Party and gone over completely to tbe Nationalists. In the Federal Senate, Senator I’earce (Defence Minister) detailed a, new defence policy a citizen force basis would be adhered to, and troops would, be maintained in sufficient strength to administer and instruct all citizen foroes Members of the expeditionary forces would be invited to join the new force. *This could beeorne a foundation upon which a new scheme would be built up The Australian Army will number 130, 000 men. It will be composed «f two

light horse divisions four complete divisions and three mixed brigades.

The Victorian State Assembly rejected by 34 to 24 an amendment to the Licensing Bill providing that a simple majority of electors shall enforce prohibition instead of as at present, a three-fifths majority being necessary.