TASMANIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18796, 18 November 1932, Page 4

TASMANIA.

POLITICAL SENSATION. LEGISLATORS LOSE SEATS. uxconstitutioxal action. (Empire Press Union.) HOBART, Nov. 8. A political sensation of first-class magnitude was 'born of the startling announcement in a Tasmanian newspaper that six members of the State Parliament —two in the Upper House and four in the Lower House —-by their unconstitutional action in taking advances of money on loan from the Agricultural Bank (a Government institution) had forfeited their sekts. The six members, who are primary producers, and one of whom is an Honorary Minister in the Nationalist Government, applied In the ordinary 'way to the bank for advances for the /working of their properties, either .forgetful• or blissfully unaware of the restrictions placed by the Constitution Act upon, members of Parliament receiving money from the State by way of subsidy or loan. An interesting section of the Constitution renders such members liable to a penalty Up to £SUO a day for every sitting day after they have received the advances, provided application is made by a qualified elector to the Supremo Court for the imposition of the penalty against a member for having illegally taken ills seat in Parliament.

Validating Bill. The disclosures cast no slur or stigma upon the members concerned or upon the officers of the State who made the payments, as it was realised that the transactions were made in ail innocence. In order to give relief to unemployed persons, and at the same time to encourage work which would eventually be reproductive, the Government lias made loans at low interest to farmers. Some members of Parliament, being farmers, and intending to set a practical example to their neighbours, obtained advances on exactly the same conditions on which : they were made available to others — only to discover that, in the opinion of officers of the Crown Law Department, they had forfeited their seats. 1 A. Validating Bill secured a fairly easy passage through both Houses of Parliament. Search for Oil. Money has been spent In Tasmania in boring for oil, but, so far, without success. It is staled, however, that there are very promising oil deposits on Bruny Island, In the south of the State, and the Commonwealth Government lias agreed to an aerial survey of the areas being mado by its technical adivser (Ur. Woolnough), who recently concluded a tour of America and other countries where oil is found. Dr. Woolnough will have life assistance of the Royal Australian Air Force, which has specialised in training men for aerial photographic work.

Bank Centenary. The Commercial Bank of Tasmania was opened in Hobart on October 1, 4 832, ajid merged in the English, Scottish and Australian Bank In 1921. The business of banking begun 100 years ago has been maintained without a break, and the institution has played an important part In the development and progress of the State. It Is the proud boast of the bank that it has never defaulted on a payment, dr had to face reconstruction. Steam Cara on Railways. The Tasmanian Government Railways some months ago purchased two 100 horse-power Sentinel-Cammell steam rail.cars to maintain the evening service on the main line, between Hobart and Launceston. The cars were an alrpost immediate success, ‘for their running cost works out at a .HiHe over sevenpence a mile, and the Srailways have saved several thousand 'pounds In that direction, as well, as (showing’ a profit on the service’’ in •which the steam cars are engaged. In •vi CW of Lhe success of the small rail !coaches,' Lhe Government has decided •to purchase, at a cost of nearly £23,000,. two more Sentinel-Cammell cars, each of 200 horse-power. The Railways Department emphasises .that,' to compete with the private motor can and retain some portion of the passenger traffic, it must give every attention to the comfort and convenience of the travelling publio.