AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 123, 2 September 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

OPPOSITION TO THE LAND TAX. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Melbourne, September 1: In the House of Representatives the whole sitting was devoted to the discussion of the land tax. The Opposition was strongly against the principle of graduation and exemption. Mr. Foster declared that the Bill was introduced for the personal purposes of the labor Party, the members of which were trafficking in land. The debate was adjourned. In the Senate the Defence Bill passed through committee without amendment. In moving the second reading of the Navigation Bill, Mr. Pearce said he desired to make seafaring an attractive vocation for Australians. The debate was adjourned.

"UTTER RUIN!" SQUATTERS AND THE LAND TAX. Received September 1, 8.30 p.m. Melbourne, September 1. A deputation representing pastoralists from all over the Commonwealth waited on Mr. Fisher and voiced their objections to-flxe land tax. They claimed that the tax would mean utter ruin to many land-' owners, and instanced cases where the tax would largely absorb or amount to than the income of the estates. Fisher said he was glad to hear all sides on the question of the tax. Part of the. Government's policy must go through, but the squatters' representations would have his most serious consideration.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT • WILL NOT SHIRK, Received September 2, 1 a.m. Melbourne, September 1. At the Melbourne Royal Show, Mr. Fisher, Premier, replying to the toast of the Federal Ministry, said the object of the Government was to pass legislation to help secure the defence of the Commonwealth and the integrity of the Empire. The time had gone when thev could afford to dawdle over matters of importance to the country's very existence. The Government would not hesitate to do the others had shirked.