COMMONWEALTH STATE POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 19 September 1907, Page 3

COMMONWEALTH STATE POLITICS.

UPPER HOUSE VAGARIES. PECULIAR POSITION IS WESTRALIA. Perth, .September 18. The Legislative Council negatived the motion for the second reading of the land Tax Assessment Bill. This involves the defeat of the (iovernment's land tax proposals. Received Sent. 1<), 0.30 a.m. I'.rth, September 18. The Land-tax Bill seems to have Ixvn lost by lad generalship. The Premier tendered his resignation. When the Assembly met, the Premier announced that the action of the Council was a rebuff to the Assembly and tantamount to a refusal of supplies. It was impossible to submit to an Act which was a reversal of the relationship of the two Houses, revolutionising the constitution, and placing the A-;embly-and Ministry at the mercv of the •econd Chamber. The Governor declined to accept the resignation or grant a dissolution, but had agreed to prorogue f.-r a brif period, when the taxation proposals will again be submitted. 7** Leader of the Opposition agreed with the action of the Premier, but said he should have insisted on an appeal to I the country. * I The prorogation will be for about a fortnight. DEADLOCK IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Received Sept. 19, 1.4 a.m. Adelaide, September 18. Amendments by the Council to the Franchise Bill called forth a warm •peech from the Premier, who declared the Council had mutilated the Bill beyond recognition. They were face to face with a crisis. The Ministry had expected reason and moderation. Backed op by the demand of the country, th".v would have claimed some consideration from the Council, but were utterly disappointed. The Council had granted concessions which would prolong its life and still continued to emulate Pharaoh.' .Who hardened his heart. The question •whether or not the Council should be Wiped out had become an insistent one He aaked the House to send back the Bill to the Council in the same coidition as before. The leader of the Country Party and alao the leader of the Labour Party support the Premier. Discussion is proceedings. j