AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1921, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Melbourne, Dec. 1. In the House of Representatives Mr. Hughes moved the second reading of the Federal Convention Bill. He urged that the, changes and developments I which had occurred during the twenty years the present constitution had been in operation necessitated substantial amendment. He did not ' favor unification. There was ambiguity in the constitution and uncertainty a.s between the Commonwealth and State functions. There was also a shackling in regard, to trade, commerce, and industry, making the present position futile and absurd. The debate was adjourned. M.P.’S SALARIES. Adelaide, Nov. 30. In the Assembly the Premier has introduced a Bill to increase members’ sc’afies from £2OO to £4OO. Hobart, Nov- 30. The Assembly, by 14 votes ll, passed a resolution in favor of the abolition of the State Governor. NEW SOUTH WALES BUDGET. Sydney, Dee. 1. Mr. Lang's Budget has been the subject of considerable adverse criticism in commercial and financial circled with prognostications of a crisis owing to increased trade stagnation and unemployment. The Chief Railway Commission, while I claiming that the New South Wales railways have come through the trying times of the past few years with a very much better record than those of the other States of the Commonwealth, says that the Treasurer budgetted for a loss of £1,100,000 on the railway working for the year, and' this is only half the extra working costs which must be borne during the year. 'lt is not* however, 'proposed to raise fares and freights again this year. It is understood that Mr. Lang submitted proposals .to the 'caucus for increasing tax on income over £7OO, also •for increasing the tax on companies. EMPIRE AERIAL SCHEME. Melbourne, Dec. 1. In the House of Representatives Mr. Hughes submitted details of the overseas aerial scheme for linking up India and South Africa with Australia- If tho work was undertaken immediately a monthly service with Egypt could be inaugurated next March. The capital involved is £868,000, and maintenance the first two years £779,000. The route suggested is Egypt-South Africa-Australia, and the return to Egypt via Ceylon. The sum of £1,647,000 will be required to be raised by the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, New Zealand. Australia, and the Malay States in suitable proportions.