AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 185, 23 December 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THIN-SKINNED POLITICIANS. By Cable—Press Melbourne, December 21. The House adopted Mr. Bamford's motion providing that representatives of any newspaper publishing a misleading or erroneous statement about a member or reflecting on his good conduct or integrity, be excluded 1 from the precincts of the House until an explanation or contradiction by the aggrieved membeT is given prominence equal to that of the offending article. THE INSURANCE BILL. Melbourne, December 21. The Insurance Bill, which has been introduced, provides for a commissioner responsible for the administration of the Act. He will supply an annual report to the Minister. Companies are compelled to register and receive a license. Life insurance companies, and other than life companies, have to make a deposit of £20,000, and life-and other insurance combined of £40,000. A life company must, each succeeding year, deposit £lO,000 until the total reaches £100,000; life an dother insurance combined, till it readies £120,000. Stringent provisions are included for evasions in making proper returns, the non-forfeiture of policies, unreasonable or unjust premiums, innocent omissions, and auditing the companies accounts. FEDERAL PARLIAMENT ADJOURNED (Received .Dec. 23, 12.40 a.m.) Melbourne, December 22. The Federal Parliament has adjourned until January 15.