FEDERAL POLITICAL SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2999, 9 February 1917, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICAL SITUATION

national government negotiations LABOUR OBSTRUCTION j threatened I ,'jjj Telegraph—Press As?n—Copyright. Melbourne, February 8. At a mating of tho Federal Liberal Tarty a motion was passed agreeing to tho formation of a National Governiment, subjcct to tho adjustment of certain question's. 1 A committee of three '(Ministerialists and three Liberals w<?ro .appointed to Qoul'er, as to a basis of ar- . J'flugemenfc. Tliq resolution w'ill bo submitted to , ®Ir. Hughes to-day. \lf Mr. Hughes goes to London Mr. Cook will lead tho Government. ; > After tho caucus meeting it was slatted that tho Official Labour Party was idetormined to l-etain control of tlio Sonata. If Mr. Hughes looked for Higlit lio wouldgot it to "tlio bittor end. (lieu. February 8, 10.20 p.m.) Melbourne, Folmiary 8. On tho reassembling of Parliament , fIVJ r. Hughes said ho hoped to bo able !'io mako a statement within a few days regarding Australia's representation at 'Uko .Imperial Conference. > NO FINALITY YET.'. (Rec. February 9, 050 a.m.) . - Melbourne, February 8. 'A. meeting was "hold of tho Joint Committee of Liberals and Ministerialists appointed to adjust tho political * elusion, , but no linality was reached. THE CRISIS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. . DISSOLUTION REFUSED. , Perth, .February 8. In tho Assembly tho .Premier (Mr. iWilson) stated that tho Governor had tefused. to grant a dissolution, in, view of tho expense of an election and the importance of the business before Parliament. The Government would profceed only with import-ant business, and ■would withdraw tho new taxation, proposals. : The Minister for Works (Mr. George) inovecl to recommit tho State Trading Concerns Bill,: which was opposed bythe Opposition. [In the absence of the country members, the Labour Party, by 17 votes to 46, deleted the vital clauses in the State Trading Concerns .-Bill. The Premier asked the Governor for a dissolution.] AUSTRALIA'S FLOUR EXPORT MILLERS ASK FOR.'SHIPS. . (Reo. February 8, 10.20. p.m.) Melbourne, February S. '& deputation, of flour millers urged Government to provide ship? for ■ the export of flour; otherwisei the mills •would have, to close- - > ( Senator Russell stated that the Gov-! Jernment was endeavouring to obtain an lorder from the Imperial authorities. Shipping risks were not interfering with the export,' but. the Australian taiUers were up against the interests bf the British millers—Press .Association. '■ DAYLIGHT SAVING IN . AUSTRALIA ' AGITATION FOR REPEAL. . (Rec. February 8/10.20 p.m.) Melbourne, February 8. Mr. Tudor (Leader, of the Official labour.Party) has asked.for tho intro- " Suction- of a Bill.to repeal the Dayliglit Saving Act. Mr. "Hughes has promised Jo. consider tho request. Tho "Herald" is'conducting a ballot on the question! . Tho present state of ; ithe voting 458 against, 3881; I 'Press Association. • CHARGE AGAINST AN OFFICER (Rec. February 8, 10-20 p.m.) ' Sydney, February' 8. Kx-Lieut. Howell Price lias been coraInitted for trial on charges of forgery. [Bail was refused. Accused's counsel said that the case had dwindled down from £66,000 to about £9200, of which 1 <inly £450 had jbeon unaccounted for.— Press Association. - '