AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 172, 7 December 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE TAXATION BILL.

By Cable—Prass Association—Copyright. Perth, December 6.

The Premier introduced the Taxation Bill, -which provides for an all-round land tax of one penny In the pound on the unimproved value, abolishing the, half-penny tax on improved values. The inQome tax is fixed at fourpence in the £-up to £SOO, rising thence to one penny for each additional £250 to £2500. Over £SOOO the tax is one shilling in the £ net profits.

THE LOAN BILL. Perth, December 6. The Loan Bill for £5,600,000 passed both Houses. It includes items covering the establishment of a State hotel, sawmills, brickyards, milk supply, and State steamer service.

In reply to a question, the Premier Baid he "considered it inadvisable to float'the loan'in Australia. The Colonial Secretary informed.the Council that the Agent-General advised that the loan could be placed on reasonable terms, but if delayed beyond Monday the State would be forestalled.

THE FEDERAL HOUSE. Melbourne, December 6. In the House the discussion on the referenda Bills is dragging along.

Mr. Fisher stated that he had communicated with the various State Governments in reference to the Sugar Commission's report, and asked them to take action. If the Premier of Queensland complied with his request, a Bill dealing with the matter would be introduced during the current session. Received 6. 10 p.m. Brisbane, December 6.

The Premier, in reply to Mr. Fisher, said: The people of Australia desire the sugar industry to be a white labor one, and gladly support any arrangement to secure a realisation of that policy. In order to pay whites the highest wages consistent with the "prosperity of the industry he promised to enlarge the Industrial Bill to include sugar workers. Commenting on the position in Queensland, he said that they could easily raise the sugar required in Australia. "Under our artificial conditions," he said, "the supply would immediately reach the limit of Commonwealth consumption. Realising the conditions under which the cane must be grown and the importance of settling the NorthiEast Coast of Australia, any sacrifice required would bring ample justification and reward."

COLORED LABOR. Brisbane, December 0. The Premier announced that Mr. Fisher had advised him that the Federal Government proposed to introduce Bills this session to abolish the Sugar Excise and Bounty Acts, also colored labor. He had much pleasure in complying with the request to introduce legislation dealing with colored labor, and sincerely trusted that the commission's proposals would end the unrest and ensure the stability of the industry. The Parliamentary session has ended.