AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 119, 4 June 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

MELBOURNE, Yesterday.

In the Legislative Assembly last night the Reform Bill was again under consideration. Alter further debate it was passed, the amendments of the Legislative Council being adopted, with the exception of the alteration of the franchise qualification. The clause contained in the Bill which originated in the Council, for the abolition of plural voting, was moreover, inserted in the Bill. The latter, as passed by tha Assembly, will now be sent to the Council for furthar consideration, but the ultimate- fate of the measure is uncertain.

The Civil Servants have not yet been paid their salaries for the past month, as Mr. Berry declines to introduce a Supply Bill. He insists that the Reform question shall be settled before the appropriation of funds is authorised.

ADELAIDE, Yesterday.

Parliament was opened yesterday. The Governor's speech annouueed that the increased expenditure of the colony would necessitate a reform in the taxation, with a view to increase the revenue. The Property Tax to be increased, and the tariff be modified, with the object of relieving producers, especially those in fche Northern territory. The Bills to be introduced will comprise, amongst others, measures for the Reform of the Civil Service and Abolition of Pensions, for the construction of a Transcontinental Railway, and for the Amendment of the Land Laws.