AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 183, 24 July 1908, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Received 24, I a.m. Perth, July 23. Parliament has opened. The speech stated that the session will be a short one. Only formal Rills will be submitted. The general election will be arranged as early as possible. A new* Parliament will be summoned to get through the work this year. Received 24, U.l oa.m.

Adelaide, July 23. Parliament has opened. The Speech congratulated the country on its unesanipler prosperity. The surplus (£480,000) is to be devoted to the reduction of the public debt. Further attention wil be given to closer settlement, progressive land taxation, early closing, and several other social measures.

Sydney, July 23. The New South Wales State Government has issued a writ against the Federal Government to test the validity of the Surplus Revenue Act. The writ claims the refund of the money which would have been returned to the State at the end of June.

The debate on the motion of censure on the Government is proceeding in a spiritless manner.

Hobart, July 23. In the Legislative Assembly the Local Option Bill \va3 read a second time on the voices. The Bill provides for compensation. It places clubs on the same footing as hotels. i Adelaide, July 23. Mr. Archibald refused re-nomination as Leader of the Labor Party, on the. ground that he expected to support Mr. Price's Government whatever its policy until it should be defeated. He thought it would do more justice to himself and to the country by sitting "below the gangway." Mr. Verran was appointed his successor.