Australian POLITICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 258, 4 December 1914, Page 7

Australian POLITICS.

STATE PARLIAMENT OPENED. • INCREASE IN TAXATION. -..!'•• ■■ •" ■' ■ By Cable. — Press Association.—Copyright. (Received December 4, 10.55 a.m.) ; PERTH, December 4. The Governor has opened ; Parliament, ihdthe Speaker, Mr Troy, has been re ; . elected. . v .; , . r .jTHe Governor's .speech refer ; red to the effects of--the war and the drought, ami •Eaid the session would be devoted' to financial measuresi for the relief of settlers and '.nnenrployed.. No controversial measures would be submitted. • • ■ MELBOURNE, December 4. 11 The Victorian Parliament has com--1 jiieneed. The Goverufbr stated that the piession would be occupied in making provision- for the services for. a year. ' ' The Minister of Customs explains that the chief increases in the new tariff include an-almost general advance of five to 10 per centum. Preference has been given: to the United Kingdom by advancing foreign duties to that extent. The increases in the revenue;alone were confined to beer, wanes, spirits, and tobacco, and others were purely protective, principally on hats, confectionery, biscuits, pianos, machines, binder-twines; also timber, from three to five per centum.