AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 140, 16 December 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

FIRST FEDERAL LOAN BILL. FOR NATIONAL WORKS. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Received 14, 11 p.m. Melbourne. Deeember 15. Mr. Fisher introduced the first Federal Loan Bill of f 2,400,47(t. whereof it is proposed to expend £(K)0,000 on Commonwealth offices in London, and £l,000.000 towards the construction of the Port Augusta-Kalgoorlie railway, and £600.000 for the acquisition of land in the Federal territory. He said that though it was a Loan Bill it would not be necessary to ask for money here or elsewhere. There were sufficient funds mailable under the Australian Notes Trust Fund to get this expenditure. The fund was accumulating rapidly. The amount of interest available at the end of five years would be at least a million. The Government proposed to create a sinking of a half per cent, in connection with the loan. THE BILL PASSED. BIG DEVELOPMENT POLICY. Melbourne, December 15. The Loan Bill passed all its stages, and the loan is to be issued under the provisions of the Commonwealth Inscribed Stock Act. Mr. Deakin, supporting, said the Bill dealt with matters that could no longer be postponed, and marked the entry upon a big national policy of development. PROPOSED N.Z.-AUSTRALIAN CABLE. Received 10, 12.30 a.m. Melbourne, December 15. In the House Mr. Fraser gave notice to introduce a Bill to enable the Pacific Cable Board to lay the proposed cable between New Zealand and Australia. THE SAVINGS BANK BILL. Received 15. 11 p.m. Melbourne, December 15. The Senate passed the Savings Bank Bill through all stages of the House. TARIFF AMENDMENTS. Melbourne. December 15. The debate on tariff amendments was not concluded at midnight. The protectionists declared that the proposals were too mild, while the freetraders regarded them as unwarranted taxation. NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT. Sydney, December 15. The Assembly was still discussing tin- Estimates at an early hour this mi -ruins. The item. Speaker's salary, was the occasion of long a nd strong opposition. Comment on the Speaker's alliged misdeedn led to uproar, members hurling uncomplimentary epithets across the Chamber. For a'while the dipiifv-chuirman of committees was unable to control the House, but finally the item was forced through by the application 'of the closure. In the Legislative Council, the Govermrcnt representative announced that the Minis-lrv would not proceed with the. Stamp Duties Bill until the House mens jn 1-Vbruarv. The question of whither it is constitutional to tax boat fans has been raised, and the Crown Law Officer's opinion will be awaited.