AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2116, 13 September 1894, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

SOME STARTLING PROPOSALS. Sydney, September 5.

A long debate took place in the Legislative A»sembly on a motion by Mr R -se in favour of the amalgamation of the tavings banks, and advancing limited sums of money at 5 per cent. ; also that the sole issue of notes should be by the Government, on a 20 per cent, gold basis. The Premier, Mr Reid, requested that time should be granted to the Government in order to allow of the introduction of a measure dealing with a national bank. He asked that the motion should be withdrawn, and added that, if pressed to 'a division, he would vote against it. Notwithstanding the Premier's assurance that he would introduce such a measure as he bad indicated the motion was carried by 52 to 35.

The Minister for Works has written a minute stating that when contracts for Government works exceed LIOOO he may provide that the contractor shall pay tradesmen and labourers rates of wages not less than those current at the time of tendering ; also that the hours of labour and rate of overtime be set forth in the schedule to the contracts. No snblettiDg is to be allowed without the sanction of the Minister. September 7. The Cabinet has decided to support New Zealand's protest against the annexation of Neoker Island by Hawaii. The Coal Mines Bill has passed all its stages in the Legislative Assembly. The clause providing for compulsory eight hours was agreed to by 6G to 11. Melbouene, September 8. The Government have given the Crown land tenants, who owe in the aggregate L 45.000, six months' grace, after which they will enforce payment. Final accounts in connection with the expenditure for the year show a total deficiency of 1.588,000, or L 77.000 less than previously stated. The Treasurer (Mr Carter) has issued revised Estimates for the current year, placing the expenditure at L 7.023.000 and the revenue at L 6.971.000.

September 10. The election oampaign is vigorously proceeding:. No le3B than 20 members of the legal profession are already announced as candidates, and the proceedings in the law courts are somewhat embarrassed owing to their absence canvassing. An the conclusion of an address to hif constituents by Mr Bsnt (Speaker of th< Victorian Assembly), two clergymen moved an amendment to the vote of confidenoo that on moral grounds Mr Bent was unfit to represent ' the constituency. There was great uproar, and the clergymen, being sab* jected to much abuse, retired. The amendment was not put to the vote.