AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1915, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

VICTORIAN SAVINGS BANK. By Gable. —Press Association —Copyright Melbourne, Nov 5. The annual report of the State Savings Bank shows the amount to the credit of depositors is £25,044,000, an increase of £1,662,000.

ITALIAN PURCHASE OF WHEAT. Perth, Nov. 5. The Italian Government is negotiating with the State Government to purchase 100,000 tons of wheat. Italy is providing the ships. REFERENDA TO BE POSTPONED. Melbourne, Nov. 5. In the House, after the suspension of both Houses to permit a caucus meeting, Mr. Hughes announced that, in accordance with an agreement between the State Premiers and the Labor Party, it had been decided to postpone the referenda until after the war. He explained i that the State Premiers would bring forward in their respective Parliaments legislation providing for reference during the war, and, in the first year of peace, to the Commonwealth Parliament of the powers sought in the proposed referendum, subject to certain limitations. The Premiers at a later date would consider what powers the States were willing permanently to surrender.- With a view to removing any doubt as to the powers of the States, they would refer matters for a limited time. An Act of the Imperial Parliament would be sought.

Mr. Hughes added that, since lie was able to get these powers during the war in another way, he felt he had done right in accepting the offer.