MR BALFOUR SPEAKS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 941, 7 October 1910, Page 5

MR BALFOUR SPEAKS.

THE.VETO CONFERENCE. "THICK-HEADED" LIBERALS AND THE DOMINIONS. PAYMENT OF MEMBEfIS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. London, October 5. Mr. A. tJ. Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, 'speaking at Edinburgh, said that if the trades unions were perverted into political associations members would be forced to contribute to the payment of Parliamentary representatives with ■whose politics many disagreed, and recalcitrants would bo deprived of union benefits. This would /be intolerable tyranny.

UNIONISTS NOTTO PRESCRIBE. LIBEEALS AND THE CONFEEENCE. : ,': (Ree. October 7, 0.85 a.m.) London, October.'; 6. Mr. Balfour, in his speech, said that, whatever might be the immediate success of the/Constitutional Conference now considering the House of Lords question, 1 the result in the future would be. good.: The representation of Laboilr in Parlia' ment was,necessary, but/he ' refused'to admit that the payment of members,' was the only, alternative, to .the. reversal of the. Osborne decision.. . . As the Unionists were not the physicians called in to deal with the case, they would not-prescribe.. '/ / -,/' If reversal :or payment were the only alternatives, he/accepted .the, latter. Passing on,to the land question,- Mr. Balfour i'emphasised the/necessity;, of a great increase in .the number of small freeholders,: and advocated /Government assistance an .the/purchaseof freeholds.. He v looked' forward •■ with , regret to Greater "Britain, entering the Imperial Conference next > year with a Government ■whose attitude-' was one of thick-headed obstinacy towards" • colonial, preference. : ; " NO \ TRUMPET; CALL;'/ :"',; " "MORNING POST" DISAPPOINTED:'; ■' (Eec. October 7, 0.35' a.m.)' //' \. '.•'■',':' /':■ London; October. 6.'/ /'The "Morning /Post" / (Conservative) says Mr. Balfour's/reference to the Constitutional Conference',.'.,shows", that the prospects of ,a-.settlement,/are so 6hadowy as to be/not wbrth/seriousconsideration.'/

' ;lt complains that;'the speech/ is/less' a. tarampet.call thari'an impartial summary, similar to that provided .in the "Annnal Register.";; ".. !.: ;■: . ~".';.;

A DRASTIC BILL

: AUSTRALIA ANTI-TRUST ACT ; By Telegraph—Press Assooiation-Oopyriffht. ::■ . (Rec. Octeber;7,43s :: aim!)/- :. ~', :.'.", ;»■ Melbourne, October; 6. '/. ■ In the House of.Representatives a Bill to amend ..the. Anti-Trust Act : has been real .a first; time.;..'..; ; r ■•; ';• The >.Bill contains ■ ■ drastic. among the' number being, a penalty ;of ,£SOO against any ."attempt, to; control, trade, with', an additional ,£SOO-par7 day for each day 6uch attempt, is : continued..'.. '.There is also a.penalty of, JBSOO per day, or.twelve months' imprisonment,,or.both, against, any'attempt to control prices! :_ . The penalty in the case of a corporation is fixed, at;!£100D; for' each day during which, the: offence, continues.:; v .;. ■

INEFFICIENT OFFICIALS., K '.■'•, -—~~~-*.. .■■■.-■';■- '' ■ POSTAIoSEEVICE.^ By Telegraph-Press Association—Oopyright ': ■.'■■'''■>. Melbourne, The Postal Commission's report,' mentions, that: since the Federation there had been nine Postmasters-General, and: each' tried; to .'signalise, his occupation of ■ office: by:new legislation,'without regard to its. effect. .The- system under'% which'r>taff matters affecting-the .' Department:.: were, placed under the authority of, the Public Service.', .Commissioner ■ -meant:': divided. control, and rendered' efficient •;; ment, impossible. Great-lack of efficiency iva's shown .'amongst the- higher..officials. ■A; large : .number.. 'of .■recommendations' are,made, . including ,the % appointment'of three Directors,!.: one 1 ' to-,- be. General Manager and • the others to control: the Telephone arid . Telegraph \ Departments; . the payment of higher salaries; the: estab-lishment.of:a...Government'.'factoi-y ■ for the manufacture.of uniforms; tho.basing of promotions on- merit alone; > abolition of leave in: lieu of overtime;;.;'payment for overtime; abolition of ' Departmental, fines;, establishment of-a. superannuation fund;:.'and the appointment of:-,a chief accountant and., a: chief inspector.•'.»•'.' The employment of-'women; is- deprecated.'.-':'