AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10573, 30 September 1910, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.} (Per Press Association.) Received September 3D, at 3.35 a.m. Melbourne. September 29. • In"-the" "Assembly the "Factories Bill, restoring to the Wages Boar.ds the .power of limiting and,.dealing.with apprentices, was ' finssed,' bringing it into line with other States. ■ In the Bouse, of .Representatives,MiEd wards moved'in favor of a referendum fixing members' He proposed to. submit to tlie people- figures from'£4(lo to '£Boo :f- year.- - : Me"mbers showed no inclination to take the risk and adjourned. / Received September 30, at 9.10 a.m. ;•;'■ Melbourne; September 30. : lii the House of Representatives. Mr Hughes introduced a Bill tb amend, the Constitution by extending the legislative powers of the Common wealth. It will give power, to-deaT in trade and commerce whether 'State-.* interstate, or foreign: also for the creation of the regulation of trade*-'-corporations-, and itwill enable the Commonwealth to make laws for the settlement and prevention of industrial disputes of all kinds. A further amendment gives power to deal with combinations and :monopolies in .relation to tlie manufacture, or s,upply ; of., goods or services. With reference to. the last clause Mr Hughes stated the Government- would lie able to make laws regulating production and distribution. Under this power the Government's anti-trust legislation would be nf more far-reaching "character than could be introduced at present. If the Bill passes it will be submitted to a referendum in April next. Received September 30, at 9.55 a.m. Melbourne, September 30. In the Senate an amendment was carried to the Navigation Bill permitting the crew to handle.cargo or:ballast of a vessel where a sufficiency of other labor was not available. In the House of .Representatives good progress is being made with the Land Tax Mill. In committee a large number of Opposition amendments were do tea ted.