AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 88, 30 August 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE GAS BILL. By Cable.—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, August 29. In the Assembly, Mr. Carmichacl, in moving the second reading of the Gas Bill, reducing prices and fixing the rate of interest, claimed that it was a reasonable proposition. It was in the interests of the general public to permit the companies to conserve their interests and pay a fair dividend of 5 per cent., and do a fair thing by the consumer. Counsel for the companies will address the House to-day in support of their interests. SUPPRESSING THE PRESS. Received 30, 11.15 a.m. Sydney, August 29. When the press representatives of the Telegraph presented themselves at Parliament this afternoon they were informed that the Sergant-at-Arms would not permit them to enter the reporters' .gallery. It is supposed that Mr. Speaker Willis has taken this method of resenting the leader in to-day's Telegraph, commenting on the Speaker's action in ejecting Mr. Cohen. Mr. Willis, in a memorandum, states that the Telegraph writer's article was guilty of contempt in wilfully inciting members to interrupt the. orderly conduct of business. Its publication* is an abuse of the privileges granted to the press in Parliament House. The statements are misrepresentations of facts, and misleading to the public. The writer is disrespectful to the Speaker and the sergeant-at-arms has been directed to exclude the Telegraph's representatives from the room set apart for their use, and from the press gallery. SIGNED ARTICLES. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received 30, 1 a.m. Melbourne, August 29. Dr. Maloney moved, in the House, that all leading and special articles, commentaries, paragraphs, reports and letters in newspapers, should be signed by the writers' names. He urged that Ijhe .public should know who wrote the splendid articles published, his design being to raise the profession of journalism to higher levels. The debate was adjourned. THE TASMANIAN BUDGET. Hobart, August 29. The Treasurer has delivered the Budget The revenue for the past year was £1,084,663, and the expenditure £1,064,703. The estimated revenue for the current year is £1,081,357, and the expenditure £1,079.789. Arrangements will be made for advertising the resources of the State so as to induce immigration, and the nomination system for immigrants will be extended" RECIPROCITY. Melbourne, August 29. Mr. Fisher, speaking in the House, hoped that before the beginning of the year a conference with the New Zealand and Australian Governments, would be held on the subject of reciprocity.