AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 112, 19 August 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

PARLIAMENTARY SECOND BALLOT. REDUCTION OF MEMBERS. By Cable.—Press Association.-Copyright Sydney, August 18. In the Assembly the Second Ballot Bill was read a second time. A long debate was ended by the application of the closure. The Chief Secretary obtained leave to introduce a Bffl providing for a referendum oh the question of the reduction of members from 90 to 72 and' a fixed ratio between members of the Assembly and Legislative Council. The Government proposes to provide that when a deadlock occurs between the Houses there shall be a joint sitting, and when there is a certain percentage of Lower Hoih* Totes for a proposal at a joint sitting, the Government have the power to submit the question to a referendum. COMMONWEALTH PREMIER'S IDEAS. i Melbourne, August 18. Mr. Fisher says that the Government intends to see that within a reasonable time a patentee shall manufacture in Australia or forfeit some of his advantages If the Government had the poweT, it would nationalise the production of iron and steel. For the convenience of banks the Federal Treasurer intends to deliver notes and accept gold.for the first issue in each State capital. IMPROVING CABLE NEWS. Melbourne, August 18. There was a lengthy debate on the application for leave to introduce the Cable Subsidy Bill. Mr. Bruce Smith maintained that the Government had no right to pay £6OOO to help papers to get news. They were commercial ventures, and should get their own news. It was simply a bonus for the press. Mr. Deakin thought the better way would be to reduce the cable rates for the press. This would involve the.Government in no responsibility. H the subsidy was given the Government would be responsible for the character of the news given. He supported the Bill, and claimed that better competition was needed. ( The debate was adjourned. WESTRALIAN POLITICS. N.Z. MINER WINS SEAT. Received August 18, 8.30 p.m. Perth, August "18. In the Beverley election, Mr. Nat Harper (Labor) beat Sir Walter James. The successful candidate is an ex-New Zealand' miner.