AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 183, 5 August 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

PDB PBB«> ASSOCIATION, Received 5, 0 17 a.m.

Melbjurne, August 4. la the House several petitions were presented in favour of the prohibition of importation and sale cf intoxicating liquors at New Guinea. Mr Fysb said nothing had ytt been paid by the Federal Government in respect of thf* existing agreement between the Stages aai <he Eistern Extension. There was £21,000 oo the Estimates for the new lines involved in the agreement between th« Gommanwealth and the Company. The Isew Guinea Bill is in Committee, A new clause was added prohibiting the importation, nr.nufac; ure, or sJe of intcx'can'.s or cp : um in the territory, excepting for medicinal purples or on tho order of a doctor, and repealing the present laws allowing production and sales. Mr Mangher stated tb°re were fourtesn licensees in tht territory, aid it was scarcely credible that they all could get a living fr. m the 500 whites resident in New Guinea, and the assumption wis that much of the liquor got into the hands cf the natives.

Sir B. Barton and Mr Reid opposed the prohibition, and contended' tha present legislation was working well. Atother new olausa was adopted providing that 5 per cent, of the tmitorial revenue each year should be devoted to the maintenance and welfare of the aborigines.

Received 5,1.2 a.m. Sydney, August 4. Replying to a deputation representing the Methodists to-day, who complained of the insufficiency of the local option claug* in tbe New Ltquor Bill, the State Treasurer declared he would never be a pirty to a Bill allowing the closing of hotels under any circumstances, without compensation in acme, Bhaps or foim, real compensation, not shadowy.