AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 16350, 16 February 1917, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS

Picsg .Association—By Telegraph—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

COALITION ACHIEVED

OUTLINE OF TERMS

MELBOURNE, February 15. hen tli:' House ol’ Representatives met to-day lir Huylios (Prime .Minister) aunomircd that an amalgamation between the Muiisiorial ;md Liberal panios hod been arrived at, mul moved the adjournment of the House till Thursday, when he promised lu make a slalonu-nt regarding all matters, inCiUding the. polity of the new Government, Mr iudor (Leader of the La-bor party in Opposition) protested against the. incomplete-uf-yS of air Hughes's statement. 'Jim official Labor parly were invited to join the new (lovernmem, but refused to have anything to do with lusion.

Purifier prolesu were cut short by (ho Ministerialists and Liberals leaving, mid the House was coumcd out. °

Though, an agreement, has been reached by Ministerialists ami Liberals, the allotment of Ministerial portfolios is net yel settled. MELBOURNE, February lb.

(Received February IC. at 10.10 a.m.)

The new Federal policy includes a provision that the people’s Conscription decision shall he respected : preference ;.o returned soldiers ; making provision for all Government contracts; sanction be given to the present iiuiiV. but the whole question of tarilf revision to be considered at the, earliest opportunity.

WAR SAVINGS CERTIFICATES

MELBOURNE, February 16 (Received February 16, at 10.30 a.m.)

Mr Po.vmon. Commonwealth Treasurer, has adopted a system of war savings certifi. ectos on iho linos in operation in ’Britain. The, money will be held for three years, when it will be refunded, with 5 per* cent, compound interest. Certificates will be issued in denominations of £l, £5. £lO, £SO, £IOO, and £I,OOO. Roth principal and n tercsl are subject to Commonwealth taxation.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS.

MR lIOL.MAWS PLATFORM

SYDNEY, February 15

Mr Holman, in delivering ins policy speech at. Gundagai tu-niglu, .miouuced that the tiovenimeiii intended to provide a home for lack invalided -uklier and raise Ids allow* ar.ee to £2 weekly; secure the right of unionist s to start undertakings such as newspapers and raise political funds; give individual members the right to join or not. without losing tbch* status: strikes not to be regarded as ctlines eyeept in certain cas-s; uniouHts to be free u; choose whether they shall rely upon strikes or arbitration. Mr Holman also announced that there will be optional leasehold or freehold land tenures, with the right of convulsion.

February 16.

(Received February 16, at 10.10 a.m.)

Mi' Holman ftu'tber said (hat probably within a week or 10 day- lie would announce a dissolui ion. lie won . abolish the second balini, replacing ii. by a system of prefer, tiiiia! voting or properltonal representation.

COAL HIRIKE AFTERMATH

SYDNEY. February 15

The Court, has granted the. oily and subtil ban gas companies from 3d to 4d per I.oooft inert.aso ju the price, of gas.