THE COMMONWEALTH

Southland Times, Issue 14577, 18 November 1910, Page 6

THE COMMONWEALTH

THE DEFENCE BILL. (By Telegraph— Press Association— CoprrllMi MELP.OUKXE, Nov. 17. Tn (he House of Representatives good progress has been made with the Defence Hill. An amendment that persons serving three years in the forces, may before they are 27 years old, enter the Military College upon passing an examination, was carried against the Government by 3G to 12. Mr Hughes asked the Chairman to report progress, and other business was proceeded with. CONSTITUTION ALTERATION. MELBOURNE. Nov. 17. Tn the Senate (he Constitution Alteration Bill was carried by the requisite majority. All the Senators were present. WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY. MFLIIOI'UXE. Nov. 17. The Government is : adversely criticised over the delay in completing wireless telegraphy contracts. The 'amending .Customs Bill extends the powers dealing with prohibition of Importation or exportation of goods to or from the Commonwealth. The powers exercised by Customs officers in regard to smuggling are extended to the importation or exportation of all prohibited goods, and similar penalties are fixed. N. S. W. PARLIAMENT. SYDNEY. Nov. 17. The Council has adopted the Address-in-Ueply. In the Assembly Mr Lee moved an amendment regretting the conduct of the Government in connection with the administration of public lands in refusing people the right to acquire in future the rreehold of such lands for settlement purposes, which is' inimical to. the best interests of the State. After some warm discussion the House adjourned. SYDNEY, Nov. 17. Received Xov. IS. 12.55 a.m.

The debate on Mr Lee's amendment is proceeding. Mr David Storey, leader of the Independent Party, disapproved of tlie amendment. A GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE. SYDNEY, Nov. 17. A serious plague of grasshoppers is reported from the western districts. Many miles of country have been eaten out. BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS. BIH SB AXE. Nov. 17. Tn the Legislative Council the Bible in State Schools Bill passed its linal stages. BULLFINCH RAILWAY BILL. PERTH, Nov. 17. In the Assembly during the second reading debate of the Bullfinch Railway Bill the Minister for Mines stated that the line would cost £-14,000. There was every reason to.believe that not at Bullfinch alone but for many miles further away valuable deposits would be discovered. Mr Holman strongly opposed the project, urging that a mining boom would damage the State by inducing Britishers to invest money in worthless shoows. The line would only prove a means of getting "wild cats" on the market.