AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7691, 7 December 1899, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Eleotkio Telegraph—Copyright.) (per united press association.) Received December 6, at 9.15 p.m. Adelaide, Decembsr 6. In the Assembly, Mr Solomon announced the policy of the Ministry, which would aim at the development of the pastoral, agricultural and mining interests, and the suppression of sweating in factories. He considered it a waste of time to proceed with the Household Suffrage Bill, but recognised that the liberalisation of uhe franchise was necessary. Next session he would introduce a Bill dealing with the subject and endeavor to pass a Bill this session extending the franchise vo the wives of present electors. An effort would be made to persuade the Federal Government to relieve the colony of its liabilities in connection with the Northern Territory. Sydney, December 6. The Amateur Athletic Association decided that the 161b shot be made of lead, with a spherical head and a wire-rope handle. Mr Marks has resigned . from the Union as a protest against the growth of betting in connection with amateur athletics. The officials of the Union recently considered the matter, and decided that the evidence wa3 insufficient to take action for suppressing. in tho Assembly the Premier slated that atthe presenttime it appeared improbable for the Federal Enabling Bill to be introduced this session.

Received December 6, at 10.56 p.m. The new Ministry had a brief existence The Government's proposal to introduce a Bill next Bession reducing the Council franchise to L2O in the place of the expected household suffrage caused great dissatisfaction with the Labor and Kingston parties. They at leaßt expected a Llo franchise, and a dual vote for the Council. As soon as the House met to-day Mr Holder, the late Treasurer, moved the adjournment, which was carried by 25 to 22. Received December 7, at 0.30 a.m. Sfdney, December 6.

The Budget is chiefly a criticism on the financial misdoings of the previous Government, and their methods in utilising the trust funds. It declared that The so-called cash balance of Mr Reid was merely a ledger balance, and had no metallic basis. The estimated expenditure will be increased over the amount estimated by the last Statement of the Reid Government by LI 15,000, inclusive of L 30,000 for the Transvaal contingent. He estimated the revenue would show a ledger surplus of slightly over L7OOO above the estimated expenditure. But for the near approach of federation he would have dealt with the fiscal question. It would not do to interfere with trade twice within a year. Received December 7, at 0.50 a.m. ' Stdxey, December 6.

Mr Gill, late resident secretary of the National Mutual Life at Auckland, has been appointed inspector of the Equitable Life for New South Wales. Bbisbake, December 6.

The new Ministry is: Mr Philp, Premier, Treasury and Mines j Mr Dickson, Chief Secretary, Vice-President of the Council; Mr Foxton, Home Secretary; Mr Chataway, Agriculture; Mr O'Connell, Lands; Mr Rutledge, Attorney-General; Mr Drake, Education and Postmaster-General, with a seat in the Upper House; Mr Murray, Railways and Works. Received December 7, at 1.10 a.m. Sydney, December 6. Mr Lyne proposes to seek authority to issue four millions of Treasury bills to meen contracts to the extent of two millions entered into by the late Government to meet the redemption of the loan. Raising the money by means of billß instead of loans, is due to Mr Reid failing to raise a loan in Juno when the market was favorable. Owing possibly to the Transvaal war the present was an inopportune time to approach the London market.