AUSTRALIA TO-DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15269, 5 April 1913, Page 4

AUSTRALIA TO-DAY.

THE GREAT CONTEST. [WBOK Otm OWN CORRESPONDENT,] Sydney, March 29. Now is the time for the clearing of decks for the great contest, to bs decided shortly in the Commonwealth field between .-. the ;."; Liberal and Labour Parties. The main issue will be tho referendum proposals, by which the Federal Government will renew the application made without success at the last general elections for the approval of the electors for amendments of the Constitution, bo as to give the Commonwealth Parliament wider powers in relation to industrial and commercial affairs. The broad outlines of the positions of the opposed forces have been set out during the post few days in Sydney by loaders in the conflict. Mr. Alfred Deakin, who recently retired from the leadership of the Liberal Party in the Commonwealth Parliament, but is giving help in the anti-referendum campaign before ho steps aside, altogether from strenuous politics, described the proposals of the Fisher Government as absolutely revolutionary, unlimited in scope, and amounting m effect to a request to the people to give a blank cheque. This would mean handing over to Parliament unlimited control over the possessions, property, rights, liberties, and activities of the people of Australia. Tho Federal Attornev-General (Mr. W. M. Hughes) lost no time in replying. He declared that what the proposed amendments will really do is to give the people power to protect their possessions, rights, and liberties, by curtailing the activities of the great monopolies and trusts that exploit them. He asserted, further, that none of the wider powers asked for are unlimited in scope, that they are defined, and that every country in the world with a pretence to democratic government, excepting the United States of America, has always had the powers which are now sought here.

Eoy&I Australian Navy. Popular interest in the Royal Australian Navy has been stimulated by the arrival of the first Australian-owned cruiser, H.M.A.S. Melbourne. This ship, which is described as being in all respects an up-to-date collection of machinery for warfare within a steel tank, was given a generous official reception when she reached Melbourne on Wednesday. On the run to Australia the Melbourne proved herself a good sea boat, especially in bad weather, with power similar to that of the destroyers, of getting through _ waves. The Melbourne is four months behind contract time. The delays have, however, been due principally to secret improvements in design, armament, and guns. She has a belt of armour which was hot provided for in the original design. The same is the case with the installation _of Admiral Sir Percy Scott's remarkable invention, whereby a, vessel's broadsides can be so accurately trained that a perfect hail of shot can be poured upon a given object. Recent naval improvements have all been fitted in the Australian warships, and wo are assured that they have been well worth waiting for. It is understood that the date for the taking over of the Admiralty's establishments at Sydney by the Commonwealth and the departure of the British squadron may have to be postponed from July till August. Sydasy. Government House.

While tho Common wealth Government is appealing from th>3 decision of the High Court in the wireless telegraphy matter the' Government of New South Wales is appealing to the same Court against the decision given by a bench of the State Supreme Court in the matter of Sydney Government House. It was held by the State tribunal that the Government had no right to use Sydney Government House for any purpose other than that of a residence of a representative of the King, for which it had been originally appropriated _ by the Imperial authorities. This decision was made the occasion .of great rejoicing by a section of the community which accuses tho Government of "disloyalty" and a determination to belittle the monarchical institution. It was tight against the expressed intention of the Government-to-convert the Government House buildings into a museum ad ; conservatoriiim of

music, and to make the whole o£ the spacious grounds ah annexe to the Botanic Gardens. The Government says it has not yet been formally apprised of the Courts decision, and the general public is still allowed to ramble about .';' the Government House grounds that' were "thrown open" with a ceremony which quite missed fire as an occasion for a big demonstration of popular apprbyalvbecause the proceedinga were marked by happenings almost of the nature'of & riot. Ministers eay that they consider they have a four to one chance of getting tho decision of the State Supremo Court reversed. If that expectation proves well founded they will have to prepare for. an appeal to the Privy Council.

Oa the Soils. Much doubt attaches to the latest compilation of {ho Commonwealth electoral roll's as regards their accuracy. For tnstance, the figures show a curious anomaly when compared with the census roturas, of April, 1911. Two years ago the number of people over the ago of 21 was 2,480,000, and all of those, except aliens, wero entitled to inclusion oa the rolls. Sines the taking of the census all those who wore then 19 or £0 years of ago have reached 21. They numbered 180,000, and the rolls should have ancreased by about that number and diminished by th«i number of deaths of adults. The total niiunber of electors on tho rolls should now be about 2,600,000, but it is actually 100,000 short of that number. Tho inference is that the rolls, notwithstanding the compulsory clauses of the Electoral Act, have been carelessly collected, and 100,000 names have been omitted. Apparently New South Wales had an increase of some 20,000 adults, while Victoria had only 1000 increase. This would imply that "Victoria was losing her adult population while New South Wales was gaining strongly, but it is possible that the discrepancy was due to the faulty way in which the census was taken. If the electoral figures are correct they show that in Victoria, at any rate, there is no room whatever for activity of the suffragette order. They give the total on the rolls for tho State as 747,598, of whom no fewer than 383,005 ate women, which is an excess of 14,182 women over men. \t would seem that in Victoria tho women may well apply enthusiasm in doctoral matters to stirring up tilings with the cry " Got your votes, men!" Clean Sorviettes.

An unpleasant reminder that others have dined there before is often given to people who patronise city restaurants. The simple act of unfolding a dirty serviette tells this tale, which, to many folks, is a shuddersome one. The matter • has of late been.] discussed in the Melbourne press, and the Board of Public Health has been invited to give, attention to the insanitary practice of what is called "rehashing" serviettes. In reply,, the health officials state that they are aware that many undesirable practices are resorted to in somo restaurants, and require to be checked. Regulations have actually already been framed and gazetted to discourage or forbid such practices. It is provided, inter alia, that every serviette must bo " thoroughly washed and cleansed einco tho last occasion of use." It is claimed that tbese regulations are more stringent than any others in force in Australia. But persons who read them are firmly of opinion that they are not generally 'enforced. Some of tho more cargfyl amongst those who are obliged id public restaurants carry with them cheap " throw away" paper serviettes, which they use in place of tho articles provided by tho establishment.