AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 154, 16 November 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

RECORD STONEWALL.' THE FARCE OF POLITICS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 15, 10.10 p.m. Melbourne, November 15. In the House the discussion on the Estimates was productive of a record stonewall. Starting at 10.30 on Wednesday morning, the House has been sitting continuously since, with short breaks for meals. The trouble started with the Government's determination to force the Estimates through, even if it kept the House sitting until Saturday night. The principal idea, however, behind the Opposition's attitude was that the Government was endeavoring to prevent the adoption this session of a redistribution of seats. The Opposition showed much strategy, providing relays of speakers and harassing the Government continuously by calling attention to the state of the House. To meet the difficulty, the Ministerialists formed a chair circle in an adjoining room. When the bells rung they waited till the sand had almost run out, and then marched in and out again without taking their seats. All sorts of points were raised and subjects discussed to keep the ball rolling. Once, when the bell rang, a member carried in his supper on a plate, with a knife and fork, and continued his meal. The question whether lie was in order led to a fruitful discussion. The chairman decided that he had n right to eat. Another member suggested to send for Speaker Willis to straighten out the tangle. Urgent wires were sent to absent members on both sides to come and assist in the blockade. Finally, when all were worn out, including Hansard, a compromise was reached at four o'clock this afternoon, when the stonewall was raised and part of the Estimates passed. Melbourne, November 15.

The Government agreed that the deI bate should be resumed on Tuesday, and the House adjourned. , . SKY-SCRAPERS. Sydney, November 15. The Assembly passed the second reading of the Height of Buildings Bill, limiting the height to 100 feet, unless special provision is made on the roof for the storage of water, in which case 150 feet will L-e .permitted. Twenty members of the Assembly decline to 'draw the £'2oo increase in salary recently voted them. Mr. Perry, after being called to order several times on the ground of not confining himself to the. question in debate, left the Chamber. Mr. Willis then ordered his removal. THE GAS BILL. AMENDMENTS REJECTED. Sydney, November 15. Mr. Beeby has informed the secretary of the Gas Employees' Union that unless they stop the ballot the Government will bring into operation a clause in the Arbitration Act which enacts that the Court may grant an injunction against persons continuing to instigate or aid. a strike. It is understood that the unions will persist in the ballot, which begins to-day. It affects three companies employing 1700 men. Others who will probably strike in sympathy will bring the total to 2000. The Assembly has rejected several of the Council's amendments to the Gas Bill. BROKEN HILL IRONWORKS BILL. IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION. Received 15, 8.30 p.m. Sydney, November 15. In the Assembly, on the third reading of the Broken Dili Proprietary Ironworks Bill, fourteen Labor members, headed by Mr. Meagher, defied the caucus decision and voted against the Government. In the House the Opposition complained of the defective administration of the immigration restriction law in the case of Chinese. They asserted that Australian naturalisation papers were sold wholesale in Hongkong and Singapore, and were easier to obtain than pound notes.