AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 987, 5 September 1903, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

QUEENSLAND PUTTING OFF A DAY OF RECKONING.

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. BRISBANE, Sept. 4. In the AsscmjbJy the Treasurer announced that the .Government were prepared to make certain taxation proposals. They would abandon the duty on bills of exchange, money sent by telegraph on credit, bank deposits, assurance policies, collateral securities, and registration of stock exchanges, and amend others. The leader of the Opposition char'S'ed the Government with swallowing all their principles, and bringing in a new set of proposals. He congratulated them on having an elastic ''backbone, and declared there was no need for new taxation.

Mr Pliifp said he expected to receive £25,000 from, the amended proposals, which, after a long discussion, were carried. Their final adoption was postponed until Tuesday.

SYDNEY, Sept. 4. Last year was a most disastrous year in the history of the railways of the State, the result of the drought and carriage of starving Stock and fodder ai unremunerative rates. Non-productive lines are responsible for a loss of £373,000. Tramways show a loss of £19,000 upon working expenses, over £2O- - being required to meet the cost of reduction of the working hours. MELBOURNE, Sept. 4. Persistent rumors are current jo f forthcoming changes in the Federal Cabinet. Mr Deakin and Sir W. Lyne are mentioned as the most probable successors, if Sir Edmund Barton accepts the Chief Justiceship.