AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 159, 30 July 1909, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

ELECTIOX OF FEDERAL SPEAKER. WILD SCENE OF DISORDER. By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright Melbourne, July 28. The election of .Speaker was characterised by a wild scene of disorder. The Laborites objected to th» liovernment selecting a candidate in caucus, made a violent attack, and moved an adjournment. The voting was equal.

Tlii' c'lerk of the House raised a storm by saying Hint he gave liis vote for a continuance of* the debute, (he ijaliorites demanding to know who gave him the right to vote.

Mr. JX'akin, Federal Premier, eame to the Clerk's assistance l>y pointing out the standing orders provided under the circumstances that on nil equal division the debate must proceed. The Labor l'arty nominated Mr. .McDonald for Chairman of Committee*. Finally Dr. Salmon was elected by 37 votes to 29.

PRESS I CABLE SERVICE. llceeived 29, 5.20 p.m. Melbourne, July 20. Senator Pearce lias given notice to move on August 19th for the appointment of a select committee to enquire into tlic question of the supply, conditions of sale, and the distribution in connection with the press cable service within the Commonwealth. THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME. Received 30, 0.40 a.m. Melbourne, July 29. Mr. Alfred Dcakin indicated that the appointment of a High Commissioner would be proemhsl with without delay, in connection with the appointments Lords Jersey ami Nortlicote and other prominent men in Ijondon, with large Australian interests, would be asked to join. He also indicated that a Defence Hill would be dealt with at an early date.

Till! LAW OF LIBEL. Received 20, 5.20 p.m. Sydney, July 211. The Government is to introduce a Defamation Hill to give further protection newspapers. Provision is made for relieving newspapers from accumulative punishment where a libel is in circulation through a number of newspapers, the Court to have power to consolidate a series of actions, so that the whole may be tried by one jury, which will assess the total damages. Relief is also given where a defendant coul I prove that damages had been given against another defendant on a similar clia rge.

QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT. Brisbane, July 20. Ihe censure motion was negatived by one vote. The Hon. Win. Kidston, I remicr, announced that the Government would proceed with its business.