AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 195, 26 November 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE CABLE SUBSIDY.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, Melbourne. November 25. In the House of Representatives Mr. Cook declared that although the cable subsidy was ostensibly in the interests of the country press,' as yet only one country paper had taken an interest in it. It'seemed from all he could gather that the Government, in setting out to break the old cable ring, had actually played into its hands. The moment the two services were inaugurated the old cable people, on the look-out for anvthing new in the shape of news, stepped in and purchased news matter coming over the Pacific route, and they were now able to circumvent the object the Government was supposed to have in view. Mr. Batchelor declared that additional papers were prepared to take the new service when the agreement binding them to the service expired. FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. Melbourne, November 25. The Senate passed the Judiciary Bill through all stages. The" House of Representatives passed the Defence Estimates. The Suplementary Estimates include £2500 to cover the cost of representation at the Coronation celebrations and £IOOO for Mr. Fisher's visit to South Africa. MINERS DISSATISFIED. Sydney, November 25. Broken Hill miners are annoyed at the refusal of the Ministry to release Stokes, one of the Barrier strike leaders, and have asked their member, Mr. Griffiths, Minister for Public Works, to resign and re-contest the seat. Received 26, 12.25 a.m. Sydney, November 25. The executive of the Political Labor League at Broken Hill has decided not to take further action in connection with Stokes' imprisonment. VOTE OF CENSURE DEBATE. Sydney, November 25. The censure debate was continued throughout the night, and is still going strong. Mr. Wood contributed a speech lasting five and a-half hours. The proceedings were at times lively. CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED. A "DIRTY LINEN" DEBATE. - Received 25, 10 p.m. Sydney, November 25. In the Assembly the censure debate ended at five o'clock, when the amendment to the Address-in-Reply was defeated by 45 to 36. The Independents, Messrs McLaurin, Gillies and Donaldson, voted for the amendment, and four Independents voted against it. The debate was characterised by much washing of dirty linen, and many old stories against members' personal conduct were revived. Mr. Wade and other Oppositionists attacked Mr. Holman's administration of the Justice Department, especially regarding the release of Peter Bowling and the reprieve of Phillips, a murderer. Mr. Holman retorted by accusing the late Government of shortening sentences of other criminals, which Mr. Wade denied, stated that the responsibility rested on Mr. Garland, the Solicitor-General. STATE COAL MINES. THAT BIG GIFT OF COAL COUNTRY. Received 25, 10 p.m. Sydney, November 25. Mr. Edden, Minister of Mines, asked if it were intended to nationalise the whole of the coal mines, replied that there were many mines which he would not take as a gift, but if he were in office for six months a State coal mine would be an accomplished fact. Asked if he intended to accept the offer of 40,00ft,000 tons of coal (which, it turns out, does not include the land) he replied that he hoped they did not think him a madman altogether. They couldn't palm it off on to him. Mr. Henley retorted; Then you should make publie that fact, and not allow people to think the offer is under consideration. THE FEDERAL ESTIMATES, Received 25. 10 p.m. Melbourne, November 25. The House of Representatives concluded at three o'clock to-day, having been sitting since Wednesday morning. The Estimates were passed, and the Appropriation and Supply Bills passed all stages. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY CARRIED. Received 20, 12.25 a.m. Sydnev, November 25. In the Assembly, Mr. Wade moved a further amendment, censuring the administration of the Justice Department, but was defeated by 38 to 30. The Address-in-Reply was then carried on the voices. ELECTRIFICATION PROPOSALS. Received 26, 1.10 a.m. Melbourne, November 25. Mr. Tait, the retiring Commissioner of Railways, giving evidence before the Royal Commission, stated that the financial result would not justify the electrification of railways at present. He had no hesitation in recommending the electrification of the tramways. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. Received 26, 1.10 a.m. Melbourne. November 15. Mr. Hughes stated that the subjects to be submitted to the Imperial Conference nop year include commercial relations, emigration, naturalisation, nationalisation of the Atlantic cable, coinage, and* weights and measures.