AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 280, 20 November 1908, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE IN VICTORIA. Melbourne, November 19. Tlic Adult Suffrage Bill has been passed by the State Assembly. •• During the debate a member adversely referred to the effect ot ihe women's vote in the Federal elections. A woman in tile gallery rose aud called out: "We had to vole for the men who would support our Bill" iilie then quitted the gallery. FEDERAL PAI! .IAMENT. AN ANOMALOUS POSITION. MeLliot'ViK', November in. Mr. Bruce Smith, i1.i1.!!., suggests the consolidation of Ine Opposition fragments in the Federal House as an .anti-Socialist force so a> to put it slop to the anomaly of a parly ot twentyseven administering the public affair.-, when there are furly-seven members against it. If such a proposal is carried out, Mr. Smith says, the leader snould bo elected by ballot.

Dr. Salmon, a follower oi Mr. Dcakin, has announced his intention to break 'aw-ay from this party and ait with tlio Opposition "corner." THE VICTORIAN BUDGET. A SATISFACTORY POSITION. Received 19, 9.12 p.m. Melbourne, November 19. Sir Thomas Bent delivered his Budget to day. The revenue of the past year was £8,238,503, and the expenditure £7,848,357. The estimated revenue for the current year is £8,110,250, and the expenditure £8,115,153. The Premier announced his intention of prosecuting a bold railway aud waterworks policy. Loan Bills would be brought in during the session, and early the year the 'necessary loans would bo raised. Altogether under tire credit Foncier system £2,254,00(1 had been advanced, whereof the arrears amounted lo only £47.1. 'Hie railway revenue for the past year was .£.'1.874,000, an amount which had only once been previously exceeded. The imports during the '■ear had increased by nearly three"million pounds.