AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 148, 1 October 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. EXTENDING COMMONWEALTH'S POWERS. By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright Melbourne, September 30. In the House of Representatives -Mr. Iluglhes introduced a Bill to amend the constitution by extending the legislative powers of the Commonwealth. The Bill will give power to deal with trade ajul commerce whether State, inter-State or foreign. Also for the creation and regulation of trade corporations, and will enable the Commonwealth to make laws for the settlement and prevention of industrial disputes of all kinds. A further amendment deals with combinations and monopolies in relation to tlhe production, manufacture, or supply of goods or services. In reference to the last clause, Mr. Hughes stated that the Federal Government would be able to make laws regulating production and distribution. It was under this power that the Government's anti-trust legislation would be of more far-reaching character than could be introduced at present. If the Bill passes it will be submitted to a referendum in April next. In the Senatei an amendment was carried 'to the Navigation Bill permitting the crew to handle cargo or ballast t(he vessel where sufficiency of other labor was not available. In the House of Representatives gpod progress is being made with tihe La-nd Tax Bill in committee. A large number of Opposition amendments have been defeated. In reply 'to a question in the Senate Mr. McGregor stated that the new cable subsidy would' begin in October. He asked for notice of the question: Who were the papers or individuals covered by the term Independent Press Cable Service Association? Received September 30, 11,5 p.m. Melbourne, Last Night. Referring to the Constitution Bill, Mr. Fisher said it was not intended' to entrench on State powers further than necessary -to benefit the whole community. The Navigation Bill, would be amended to provide that a seaman's agreement in the case of Australian traders would be made with the masters, not the owners. ABSENTEE LAND OWNERS. Received October 1., 1.5 a.m. Melbourne, Last Niglit. In the House of Representatives, during the delbate on the Land Tax Bill, Mr. Hughes promised to include in the Bill a provision in which joint owners would become owners in severalty before the end of the year, and therefore the tax would apply as to subdivided' area. A sub-clause was added providing that a company should not be deemed an absentee, but that absentee shareholders should be separately assessed as absentees.