AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 30

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

j QUEENSLAND. ' j BRISBANE, March 3. Parliament met at noon to-day. After the members had been sworn in the Assembly proceeded with the election of a Speaker. Each party put forward a nominee, and this led to a deadlock, the Labour, and Opposition parties combining- against the Government, the Government and the Opposition against the Labour party, and tbe Labour party and the Government against the Opposition. All three nominations were negatived, And the House adjourned till 3 p.m. to try to reach a compromise. Upon reassembling the Government amd Labour parties each submitted a nominee, but both were again defeated by the former combinations. The House will meet again later. The official opening will take place tomorrow. At a late hour to-night the Assembly s»ad not arrived at a settlement in regard to the Speakership. March 4. On the Premier's motion, eSr Leahy was $nally elected Speaker, the Government and Opposition voting against the Labour party. - Governor opened Parliament to-day Trith the usual ceremonies. ; The Governor's Speech Jntimated that $&£ balance of the programme which had poeja ittterrapted by the political crisis yould be r«njtrodac«d. •The proposed legislation includes a bill pryrkting in the case of a disagreement Setween. the two Houses for a direct 4ppeal to the people and a bill amending $1* Electoral Act as regards the postal Vote. A special appropriation will he introduced to cover an expenditure of ;j?687,000 since the dissolution following tpon Parliament refusing Supply.

March 5. The Assembly has passed Supply. March 6. The Premier is trying to make arrangements with the Labour party for its support. It is reported that Labour is driving a hard bargain. THE FEDERAL TARIFF. MELBOURNE, March 5. The Senate swept off the 5 per cent, foreign duty on many agricultural implements and cutlery, and placed them on the free list.