AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9288, 13 December 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, December 12. The Publio Service Bill was passed by the Council. The Assembly discusses the renewal of the Vancouver subsidy to-night. The estimated cost of the new public works mentioned yesterday is £2,196,000. In the Legislative Assembly a Bill was read a first time which provides for the issue of Treasury bills to coyer the colony's accumulated deficiency debt to the end of last June of £1,175,000. The Treasurer said that in all probability the bills would lie in the Treasury safes, as an enormous sum of trust money was available. He intended to keep paying off £150,000 yearly till the deficiency was wiped out. In the Legislative Council the Federation Enabling Bill was read a third time. The Legal Amalgamation Bill, providing for barristers and solicitors being placed on the same status, was rejectad on the motion for the second I reading. I Melbourne, December 12. Great interest was centred last night in the utterances of Mr Trenwith, leader of the Labour party, who is considered to hold the key of the political position. He denounced the Hallway Trust Bill, and would not have it in any form. He recognised the awkward position in which the Government was placed by Mr Shiels' amendment, and hoped it would be withdrawn. Mr Shiels, acceding to the general wishes, did so.

Brisbane, December 12.

The Leader of the Opposition moves that the financial proposals of the Government are unsatisfactory.