AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6661, 6 December 1899, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

United Press Association— By ETectric Telegraph — Copyright. SYDNEY, Dec. 5. The Budget "will be delivered, to-morrow nighfcl Owing -to tJho absence of the Speaker and the Chairman of Committees, the sitting of the Assembly lapsed to-day. MELBOURNE, Dec. 5. ■ The new Ministry has been swcrn in as follows: — Premier and Chief Secretary, Mr M'Lean ; Treasurer, Mr Shiels, AttorneyGeneral, Mr Irvine; Solicitor-General, Mr Da-vies ; Minister of Mines and Railways, Mr Out-trim ; Minister of Agriculture, Mr Graham ; Minister of Defence, Mr M'Coll ; Minister of Instruction, Mr M'Cay ; Post-master-General, Mr Watt; without port^ folios, Messrs Fink and Salmon, with Mr Balfour in the Upper House. . .. ; BRISBANE, Dec. 5. Mr Philp obtained an adjournment till Thursday, when he hopes to submit the names of the Ministry. .... • (Received Dec. 6, 9.15 a.m.) ADELAIDE, Dec. 6. In the Legislative Assembly Mr Solomon announced the policy of the Ministry, which was to aim at the development of pastoral, agricultural and mining industries, and the suppression of sweating in factories. It is considered a watste of time to proceed -with the Household Suffrage Bill, but it is recog-nisea.tha.t-the liberalisation of- the franchise is necessary. It is intended next session to introduce a Bill dealing with the 'subject, and to endeavour to pass a Bill this session extending the franchise to the wives of preI sent electors. An effort will be made to'pjersuade the Federal Government to relieve the colony of its liabilities in connection^ with the Northern Territory.