AUSTRALIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 2 July 1924, Page 9

AUSTRALIA.

Opening of State Parliament. REDUCED TAXATION PROMISED. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. (Received 7.5 p.m., July 1.) SYDNEY, July 1. His Excellency the Governor opened the State Parliament with the usual ceremonies. The Governor’s Speech referred to the value of the visit of the British Squadron; to the preparations for carrying into operation the agreement with the Imperial Government in connection with the immigration scheme; expressed regret at the • Imperial Parliament’s rejection of the preference proposals; mentioned the appointment of a Royal Commission with a view to rearranging the present boundaries of the States; announced that a Bill would be introduced during the current session for the reform of the Legislative Council; in view of the favourable revenue returns a reduction in taxation was promised; steps would be taken to overcome the difficulty of exchange between London and Australia; and other Bills were promised dealing with the improvement of public health, the destruction of pests affecting the primary industries, and water conservation and irrigation.

Prior to the opening a meeting of the Progressive Party decided to ratify the pact with the Nationalists to support the Government programme. It is understood that Mr Lang (Labour Leader) will move a motior of censure of the Government. REFORM OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. (Received 9.50 p.m., July 1.) SYDNEY, July 1. The Government is preparing a Bils to reform the Legislative Council. It provides for a reduction in membership from eighty as at present, to sixty. DUTY ON TIMBER. By Cable —-Press Association —Copyright. (Received 9.50 p.m., July 1.) SYDNEY, July 1. A deputation from the Country Sawmillers’ Association asked the Minister of Customs to induce the Government to increase the duty on all imported timber, by live shillings per hundred superficial feet. > The Minister said that he was not in sympathy with the request, but he would try to induce the Government to grant special facilities for the export of Australian hardwood, as he was convinced that there was a 1 large export market for this timber. MEETING TREASURY BILLS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, July 1. The Commonwealth Government is repaying to-morrow five millions of Treasury Bills out of the proceeds ot the recent loan.