THE COMMONWEALTH

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 1 September 1909, Page 25

THE COMMONWEALTH

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. MELBOURNE, August 25. In the Senate to-day the Coinage Bill was read a third time. j Both Houses have resumed the Budget debate. i The Government lias been subjected to some severe criticism over the Premiere' Conference agreement. August 26. Mr Fisher thought that the payment by the Federal Government to. the States of 25s per capita was excessive. It was, he said, a piece of hypocrisy to offer such an amount, because it would not always be possible for the Commonwealth to pay it. August 27. In committee the Senate amended the "Conciliation and Arbitration Bill by striking out clause 3, dealing with the representation of the parties at the hearing of a dispute. This excision means that the Senate practically rejects the measure. The Fedaral Senate has passed the Coinage Bill. Both Houses have adjourned till Tuesday. I QUEENSLAND POLITICS. BRISBANE, August 24. After conferring with the LieutenantGovernor, Mr Kidston announced in the Assembly that he had asked for. and had been granted, a dissolution. Mr Kidfcton Mated that the Government had not taken action in regard to a dissolution earlier because it was vital that the State should be represented at the Premiers' Conference. The House had outlived its usefulness, and it was high time that the country had an opportunity of sending in one party or the other. Tlie Lieutenant-Governor h^id accepted his advice in favour of a dissolution, provided the House granted Supply. He gave notice of motion for the follow i n/g day to permit the passage of an Appropriation Bill through. all its stages. Mr Bowman defended the rights of his party to move a want-of-oonfidenoe motion. He said he would refuse Supply. A motion for the adjournment of. the House was carried by 36 votes to 35.

August 27. Mr Armstrong was elected Chairman of Committees. The debate on the motion to go into Committee of Ways and Means is proceeding. The Council agreed to suspend the Standing Orders to deal with the Appropriation Bill at a sitting when it is received from the Assembly. The Assemoly has been sitting con« tinuously since yesterday afternoon. With the assistance of the gag tha Appropriation Bill got into committee, when Mr Blair intimated his intention to move a memorial "to the Lieutenantgovernor pointing out that h.» had been misinformed in connection with the request for a, dissolution and that he should refuse to exercise his prerogative when it would conflict with the expressed wish of the House. Mr Hardacre moved the reduction of the. appropriation to £83,000. August 30. The Assembly passed - Supply and adjourned. The writ dissolving Parliament will be issued early this 'week. A BYEsEfcEOnON. ■» - ABELAUXE, August. 3o. 'Mr- Foster (MinisteriaJist)~ has been elecfea to JgH ,s&■ laeancy;. in^tb^e .Federal. House of Representatives caused through the death of Sir F Holder. He defeated MfcwTgjsrßhnti- by -1332 votes - j