AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4441, 22 August 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

CLOSE DIVISION IN THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. MELBOURNE, August 21. In the Federal House of Representative* the State Assembly Conventions BUI was read a .second time by a majority of only four, amid considerable excitement The Treasurer will deliver his Budget on Tuesday next. PAYMENT FOR SUNDAY LABOUR. SYDNEY, August 21. The New South Wales Assembly has adopted a resolution favouring payment of extra wages for SundaV'labour to all State employees. Members generally were in favour of reducing Sunday work as much as possible, and'the general opinion Is that the resolution will have that effect. CONTROL OF NEW GUINEA. MELBOURNE. August 21. In the .Federal House of Representatives the Premier (Right Hon. E. Barton) stated that he was in communication with the Imperial Government in reference to the control of New Guinea. He was unable to make a further announcement till he had received replies to a number of clearly-defined questions. (Received August 22, 0.45 a.m.) BRISBANE, August 21. The Premier ot Queensland complains bitterly of the indifference of the other States and the Federal Government in regard to New Guinea and of the difficulty of obtaining a fund for its administration. If the Federal Government continues to neglect the matter he says he will have no other course than to appeal to the Imperial Government.