FEDERAL POLICY IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25390, 13 January 1948, Page 7

FEDERAL POLICY IN AUSTRALIA

CABINET AGENDA AT CANBERRA SUGGESTED INCREASE IN SIZE OF PARLIAMENT (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright) CANBERRA, January 12. The shaping of policy for 1948 is the Australian Federal Cabinet s most important task at its first meeting of the year to-day-. The subjects for discussion include: _ (1) The legislative programme for the session of Parliament beginning on February 18. (2? Consideration of plans for increasing Australian exports to the hard currency areas in order to raise dollar earnings. (3) The future policy of the Govern-ment-owned Transaustralia Airlines on fares and the type of service. (4) Reports by the Prime Minister (Mr Chlfley) on his talks with the defence heads last week and on his discussions with New Zealand leaders during his recent holiday in the Dominion. Taxation is not on the agenda. The Australian Federal Cabinet is expected to decide in principle on a bigger Federal Parliament. Recent discussions have suggested a House of Representatives of about 100 members, against 75 at present, and a Senate of about 48, against 36. Parliament has power to increase its own numbers. If the Federal Cabinet and the Federal Parliamentary Labour caucus endorse the proposed increase, as seems likely, it is bertain that the necessary legislation will be brought down this year. The new boundaries would thus be ready for the elections at the end of 1949. The chief argument in favour of a larger Parliament is that some Federal electorates have now nearly 100.000 people within their boundaries. Some opposition has developed among the smaller States, which claim that a redistribution would swing power even more to the large eastern States. FEDERAL MONOPOLY OF TAXATION OPPOSITION BY STATE LABOUR GOVERNMENTS (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright) BRISBANE, January 12. The Premier of Queensland (Mr E. M. Hanlon) said that the Labour Governments of New South Wales and Queensland were planning an assault on the present taxation monopoly enjoyed by the Federal Labour Government. Mr Hanlon, who has just returned from a conference in Sydney with the New South Wales Premier (Mr J. McGirr), said that both States, which were vigorous opponents <ff uniform taxation, would seek the restoration of State taxation at this year’s Premiers’ conference. RUGBY FOOTBALL AUSTRALIANS BEATEN BY FRANCE (Rec. 7 p.m.) PARIS. January 11. France beat the Australian Rugby Union team by 13 points to 6 after leading 13-3 at half-time. Attacking strongly from the outset, France crossed the Wallabies’ goalline after five minutes, when Basquet charged through. Alvarex converted. The Australians found the French tackling keen and effective. They gained their first points when Tonkin icked a penalty goal. The French defence held repeated Australian efforts to break through, Basquet scored his second try after a short, elusive run. After a passing movement, Pomathios gained France’s third try. which Alvarex converted. The Australians failed with a promts? ing breakaway movement through Mcßride fumbling. France nearly scored again early in the second spell, when the fast-moving three-quarter line outdistanced the defenders, but Emery touched down. France had the better of the exchanges because of a lighter and faster pack. Poor handling by the French backs prevented them getting more points. Tonkin kicked a second penalty goal for Australia midway through the second half. The Wallabies did not show up as a combined attacking force for the remainder of the match, although Tonkin and Allen were brilliant.

N.Z. Surgeon to Show his Paintings. —One of the most distinguished of New Zealand surgeons in Britain, Sir Harold Gillies, who is also a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, is to hold an exhibition of his paintings at Charing Cross this week. Sir Harold Killies will exhibit 130 oils, chiefly scenes painted while on fishing holidays in England, Ireland, Norway, and Iceland.—London, January 11.