COMMONWEALTH POLITICS

Southland Times, Issue 17831, 7 September 1916, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH POLITICS

X.S.W. BUDGET. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, September C. In the Assembly Mr Holman, in delivering the Budget, stated that the year's revenue was £19,626,000, and the actual surplus £149,590. He stressed the fact that but for the war expenditure amounting to £514,000, the surplus would have been £550,000. Of the surplus £59,000 was due to increased taxation. During the last six years the Government had raised £12,800,04)0 by direct taxation. The total loan expended during the period was £4],000,000. It was proposed to supplement disabled soldiers’ pensions to make the amount £3 weekly. EARLY CLOSING. MELBOURNE, September «. In the Assembly Sir A. Peacock, the Premier, announced the abandonment of the referendum on the earlier closing of hotels, as it would clash with the conscription issue. The Government proposed to adopt legislation in place of the referendum. BRISBANE, September G. In the Legislative Council Mr Hamilton stated that the Government had received a request from Senator Pearce to take action for the early closing of hotels. ' GOVERNMENT CONTROLS SUGAR INDUSTRY. BRISBANE, September 6. The Premier announced that owing to the sugar dispute the Commonwealth was consideraing taking over the control of the'industry in all phases.