AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 102, 20 October 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

THE ARBITRATION QUESTION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, October 19. Mr. Fisher, discussing Mr. Deaklu's amendment, asked if tha Opposition objected to all powers in the constitution being vested in a court that could prevent strikes. Surely the duty of the House was to give the court the power, The amendment meant otherwise. He had been gratified to see how the parties chided the Arbitration Court's decisions. The Government would not accept the amendment. Mr. Irvine objected that the Bill was irying to make the court a legislative nody instead of a purely judicial ono. The debate was adjourned.

CIVIL SERVANTS' PROTEST. Received 19, 12.5 a.m. Melbourne, October 19. A petition, signed by four thousand postal servants, has been presented to the Federal House in opposition to the Government's proposal to bring public servants under the provisions of the Arbitration Act. It is urged in the petition that from time immemorial Parliament has been the final appeal court for servants of the Crown and that the introduction of the Arbitration Court would rob Parliament of its prerogative. The inter-State conference of Postal and Telegraphic assistants resolved in favor of a plebiscite on the question of becoming affiliated to a political league. A MEMBER SUSPENDED. Sydney, October 10. In the Assenitly Mr. Wood again came into collision with the. Speaker. He said he would decline to be lectured, and angrily left the Chamber, Mr. Willis ordered his return. Mr. Wood took off his coat and challenged the officers of the House to touch him. The police declined to interfere. Mr. Griffith, Minister-in-charge of the House, moved the suspension of Mr. Wood until he apologised. This was carried by 24 votes to I*2.

WESTRALIA AND MAWSON EXPEDITION. Perth, October 19. _ The Scadden Ministry declines to subsidise the Mawson expedition. Mr. Scadden states that in the present straitened condition of finances charity should begin at Home. All the Ministers, were re-elected unopposed.