WAR LEGISLATION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13595, 9 October 1914, Page 5

WAR LEGISLATION.

GIFT OF £100,000 TO BELGIUM

(Received Oct. 8, 9.45 p.m.)

Melbourne, Oct. 8

Hie Governor-General, Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson, opened the new Federal Parliament. There was a large attendance.

The speech from the Throne forecasted a Bill to cover the expenditure on the Expeditionai-y Forces, financial proposals to meet the war conditions and dislocation of trade., and also pensions for the forces on active service and their dependents.

The Government proposed to ask Parliament for a free gift of £100,000 to Belgium.

Other proposals mentioned include an increase of old age and invalid pensions, and measures to provide for pensions fol* widows and orphans. The tariff is to be amended. Measures will be introduced to promote the production and manufacture of raw material, to secure new markets, provide for a uniform railway gauge, to give effect to constitutional amendments regarding the initiative and referendum, the development of the Northern Territory, and the creation of a lino of Commonwealth steamers.