AUSTRALIAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue XXXXV, 5 December 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN.

FEDERAL POLITICS. ADELAIDE, Dec. 4. There are only two contested seats tins Federal iHouse. PERTH, Dec. 4. Sir John Forrest was returned unopposed. NEW ZEALAND LOAN. The New Zealand Government 4 per cent. 5 to 20 years itei,enture loan of half a million at par is already subject to local eiuju lies, and tenders will probably be sent in for a fair amount. CHARGES OF BRIBERY. MELBOURNE, Dec. 4. Mr Mitchell, member for Talbot, has received a letter enclosing a circular making imputations of bribery practised by the 1.0. F. Insurance Society. It appeals that Dr. Montague, representing the Society, had frequently pressed Sir A. Peacock, when Premier, to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the financial stability of the society. Dr. Montague wished to bear the cost, but Sir A. Peacock mused. When M' Mitche-1 was elected Dr. Montague ollered £SO towards his election exponses to secure his influence. Mr Mitchell refused, and Montague then handed JuoO to Sir A Peacock, and asked him to give it to Mitchell. Peacock demurred, hnowing that Mitchell would refuse, but finally consented to oiler the maney whieh was refused. The Premier said the House sympathised with the member in tho foul and scandalous attack made on him.

In an interview subsuqjuontly Sir A. Peacoclfj stated thai he had renewed a fully paid up life policy in the sociaty, aiid that was the only interest ho held. Ho mentioned the namss' of several Federal politicians, who had also been given paidup policres ( Sir George Turner, Federal Treasurer, whose name was mentioned, said he had taken out a policy in the Society, had. paid six months' premium in advance, and had been paying oil it ever since. THURSDAY ISLAND, Dec 3. The natives of Bamboo River, in New Guinea, attacked a party under the Resident Magistrate, wko had gone to settle a tribal dispute, killing two native policemen, it is not known how many natives were killed though it is reported one was :-hot dead.