AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 124, 12 October 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE MATERNITY BONUS,

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, October 11. Lord Denman has signed the Maternity Bonus Bill, which operates from to-day.

MR. WADE'S ILLNESS. Sydney, October 11. Mr. Wade takes a long holiday from his political duties to recover from the effects of an attack of influenza.

NEW SOUTH WALES DEBATES,

Sydney, October 11

When the Meagher Reinstatement Bill was introduced in the Council, Mr. Nash raised the point that as it was unaccompanied by the report of the Select Committee it could not be entertained. It was agreed to argue the point later, and consideration was adjourned till Thursday.

The Gas Bill had a stormy passage through the Council, but has reached the committee stage. It was denounced by some members as absolute confiscation.

The Assembly had a twenty hours' continuous sitting on the Early Closing Bill. There was strong opposition to shutting soft drink shops, chemists and butchers'. There were many jeremiads as to the probable effects of the Bill. The ratifying of the agreement of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company to establish iron and steel works at Newcastle has been referred to a Select Committee.

A CONVERTED LABORITE. Melbourne, October 11. Mr. Fowler has deserted the Labor Party. He explained to the House that he crossed the floor for several reasons, one because of the growing favor with which unification was received in the labor movements. He added that if slanders were persisted in he would expose some dark and noisome corners in the labor movement.