AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2857, 16 December 1908, Page 26

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

FEDERAL POLITICS. MELBOURNE, December 8. The Defence Estimates were introduced

■in the Federal House of Representatives I to-day. Tlie amount is £722,543, an increase of £10,734 on tlie previous year. December 9. ■ A bill to provide for the use of an automatic letter-stamping machine invented in New Zealand was read a second time. A return was presented showing that the" value of properties transferred from , the States to the Commonwealth under Federation is £9,648,000. After a long stonewall the Senate finally passed the Yass-Oanberra site by 17 to 11. TJie ' President stated that negotiations wexe proceeding with Canada on the question of preferential trade, but they were j not at a stage which* it was desirable to disclose. — The Minister in charge of the Defence Bill admitted the necessity for a general reorganisation of the forces. The bill, to ameftd. the Post and Telegraph Act so as to permit of the use of the automatic stamping machine, invented in New Zealand, was read a second time, and was formally committed to the ; Senate. The bill will be taken no further ■ this session.

December 11.

The -House passed the Stowaways Bill. Its main provision is that on any vessel coming to Australia with an alien stowaway aboard, the master, owners, agents, and 1 charterers shall be jointly and severally liable on a summary cenviction to a penalty of £109, per alien.

A return has been presented to Parliament showing that the Commonwealth employees number 12,452 p&rcnanenu officers, -o itb salaries aggregating £1,771,000, while 14,840 temporary hands receive £183.000 in wages.

December 12.

The Federal session has ended, and a proclamation will be issued in a few days proroguing Parliament. It is understood that the recess lasts tail May. Efforts will be continued during the recess to secure tho fusion of parties opposed to the Government. These, so far, have proved unavailing.