AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 16

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Melbourne, April 29. The caucus of the Opposition held to appoint a leader during Ihe absence of Sir John M'lnfcyre in England was not by any means a happy gathering, and dispersed without accomplishicg that object. Members 'claim t he exercise of a free band during the absence of the Premier.

Sydney, April 28. In the Legislative Assembly last night Mr Lyne, leader of the Opposition, said he had notbiDg to say againsi Premier Reid's visit to England. What he insisted on was that Parliament should hava been consulted as to the visit. He would give no pledge as to the action the Opposition would take during Mr Reid's absence. He generally attacked the financial policy of the Government. Mr Oopaland said that if he saw a chancs to defeat the Government duiing the absence of the Premier he would takß it.

Thß Lsgislative Council has adopted the Addross-in-Reply.

In the Assembly, Mr Raid, replying to Mr Lyne's charge that the Government had failed to fulfil their promise to effect a reform of the Upper House, said the Government were returned on two issues — direct; taxation and Council reform. They had carried one and intended to carry the other, and this would be the fourth session to deal with the matter. If the Council again threw out the Reform Bill they would appeal to the country.

April 29

As Ih.re may be some difficulty ia both Houses of Parliament arriving at an agreement on the amendments made in the Commonwealth Bill, Premier Reid states that no effort will be made to do so, but that each House will submit its own amendments.

The Legislative Assembly adopted the Address-in -Reply.

April 80.

The interim Financial Statement shows that the Treasurer expects the revenue to exceed the estimate by £18,000, and to bs able to carry forward a credit balance of LIOI.OOO for the year ending. 30ch Jane. The railway revenue had been increased by L 150.000 as compared with the preceding yeir.

Esferring to the predictions of failure of the land tax, the Treasurer (&Ir G. R?id) admitted that if the determined, clever, and remorseless efforts of highly talented and powerful members of the community had succeeded, failure would have resulted. He wished that the commissioners could let the House know of the systematic efforts being made to defraud the Treasury. He was ashamed to say that some of the worst offenders wers amorgst the shining lights of the community. With all these disadvantages the tax for 1896 would yield £275,000. Perth, April 28.

The first batch of parliamentary nominations has closed. Several Ministerialists, including the Hoc. Mr Throfsel, Minister for Lands, and Mr Alexander Forrest, have been returned unopposed.

Albany, April 29. The Premier (Sir John Forrest;) . was reelected for B anbury unopposed.