AUSTRALIA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 354, 14 February 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

FEDERAL POLITICS.

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

PROPOSALS

Melbourne, Feb. 13.

Meetings of Ministerialists and Liberals to discuss the terms of the fusion and the selection of the National Government were held today. The result has not yet been disclosed.

A HITC H IN NEGOTIATIONS.

[AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. OABUt ASSN.J (.Received 14, 11.15 a.m) Melbourne, Feb. 13.

Ihe prospects <d a coalition are m>i a-, firrgiit formerly. The Mnnstei i.-ili*-ri h.n.- agr< <-t[ t<> the terms, but the Liberals, after a pro trai led meeting, did m>t inure to a definite deteimination. While other terms in the agreement wen- uceepted, the} h imthlj debated the clause iiiat the I'liiiM'l Iplliin referendum decision be respected The} passed a icsolutii’D. “That all must be forgotten about the refciendum, and i icn though compulsory service be}ond Au -1 nilia is banished from their minds, even thing possible must be don-- Io bring home to the people the nete'-sjiy for icinforceA further motion was carried that in view of the m-i lotisness of the situation it was urgently necessary fo. the Minister of Defence to sit in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.

THE UNEMPLOYED.

[AUSTRALIAN AND N Z. CAHI.E ABB’n] (Received 11, J 1.15 a.m.)

Melbourne, Feb. 13. In reply to an unemployed deputation Mr. W. M. Hughes, Federal Premier, stated that at his suggestion tin- Imperial Gox eminent wan taking loon carpenters from Australia to assist in war work in Britain.

In reply t-> a question regarding other unemploxed men here, he said that no inoDi-x was available and no larg" public wink would be started.

CONTROL OF SHIPPING.

[AUSTRALIAN AND N Z. CABLE ASSN.} (Receiver! I 1. I 1.15 a.m.) Melbourne. Feb. 13.

It is stated m shipping circles that the Federal Gox eminent is appointing a board to have full control of uxersea shipping and eaigo matters to act anil co-operate with the board ahead} in cxisteiiee in England. A smaller board will lie appointed to control interstate shipping.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

[AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE AWN.] (Roct'ixcd IL 11.15 am.) Hobart, Fell. 13. A runawnv rnilxvav xan collided with a. train al Lynchford, wrecking three e-irringes ami injuring five passengers.

NOTES FROM VARIOUS STATES

With a view to assisting the war loan the Recruiting Committee at Hobart is seeking to induce Tattersail’s to pay sweep prizes of over £lO in war Joan bonds.

The New South Wales Railway Commissioner told a deputation that owing to the scarcity of loan money and the higher cost of material and continually increasing wages, they were faced either with reducing the number of employees or increasing rates. The first totalisators in New South Wales, two small machines of the Tasmanian type, operated at the Kembla Grange races. They caused much interest and were well patronised, though the bookies were also operating. (Received I I, 11.15 a.m.)

Senator Russell said at. Melbourne that it was not intended to enfranchise all soldiers at the front over eighteen.