AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16460, 9 February 1917, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

COALITION NEGOTIATIONS. OFFICIAL LABOUR OPPOSES. Aust. and N.Z. Cable. MELBOURNE, Feb. 8. A meeting of Liberal members of Parliament carried a motion agreeing to the formation of a Notional Government, subject to the adjustment of certain questions. A committee* of three Ministerialists and three Liberals has been appointed to confer as to the basis of arrangement, and its recommendations will be submitted to Mr. Hughes to-day. If Mr. Hughes goes to London, Mr. Cook, who is now Leader of tho Opposition, will lead tho Government. After the caucus meeting it was stated that the official Labour Party—which opposes conscription—was determined to retain control of the Senate, and if Mr. Hughes wanted a fight he would get it, to the bitter end. WEST AUSTRALIAN POLITICS. DISSOLUTION REFUSED. y . '. PERTH. Feb. 8. The Premier of West Australia, Mr. Wilson, announced in the Assembly that the Governor had refused to grant a dissolution in view of tho expense of an election. The importance of the business before Parliament had gone, and he proposed to proceed with urgent business only. He would withdraw the new taxation proposals. The Minister for Works moved that the State Trading Concerns '. Bill, which is opposed ,by the Labour opposition, be recommitted. [The Liberal Government of West Australia proposed to dispose/of the trading concerns started by the former Labour Government, but this week the Assembly deleted the vital clauses of the Bill, by 17 votes to 16, despite the absence of country Labour members. The Premier then asked the" Governor to grant a dissolution.] ; ■]''.'"' '; '•'•*; ,','•''.; . EXPORT 0? FLOUR. 1 MINISTER'S ? EXPLANATION. (Received U p.m.) MELBOURNE, Fob. 8. , A deputation of flourmillers urged the '. Government to provide ships for the, export of flour, otherwise, they said, the mills would have to close. The Minister, interviewed, ' stated that tho Government was endeavouring to obtain an order from : 1 the Imperial authorities. Shipping risks i were : not interfering with export, but the ; .Australian, millers were affected by tho interests of British millers. ' ■ V CHARGE OF FORGERY. i (Received 10.20 p.m.) • SYDNEY, Feb. 8. Howell Price, an ex-lieutenant, has been committed for trial oh' a charge of : forgery." r Bail was refused. Accused's counsel said the case had dwindled from cue involving £66)000 to one involving about £9200, and only £450 was not accounted for. • OBITUARY. , a , ;„ .: SYDNEY, Feb. 8.The: death is announced of Sir Arthur Rutledge, a Queensland Judge, and formerly Attorney-General.