COMMONWEALTH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2543, 2 July 1909, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH POLITICS.

CABLE NEWS.

VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT OPENED THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH. United Press Assv-oiat on—Copyright. MELBOURNE, June 30. The Governor opened the State Parliament. His speech referred to the satisfactory condition of the finances; expressed confidence that Victorians would cheerfully bear their proportion of the cost of the Dreadnought promised in conjunction with New South Wales:; and recognised the urgency of effecting a fundamental change in the incidence of land taxation. A Bill was (promised providing for an unimproved value tax. Irrigation and intense culture of irrigable areas receive prominent attention. The construction ofj a modern dock in Melbourne to supply the requirements of the Admiralty and mercantile shipping services is included in the programme; also vigorous railway construction. The establishment of a State coal mine is proposed, and prevention and eradication of tuberculosis -will have attention. MELBOURNE, July 1. The report of the committee on public accounts, in regard to the illegal •expenditure -of public moneys with© :fc the sanction of Parliament, has been presented to the House. It fouid tint Sir Thomas Bent, in giving certain instructions,. acted unconstitutionally and illegally, and £175,000 had been so expended. QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT. BRISBANE, June 30. Parliament was officially opened today. .The Governor’s speech referred to the efforts made to induce the State to participate in naval defence, hut declined on the ground that it was the duty of the Commonwealth to control military and naval affairs. The promised legislation includes several new railways, a Bill for the creation r 1 a university, and a Licensing 8.11. NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT SYDNEY,. June 30. The censure debate is dragging along slowly. ‘ > THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. MELBOURNE, July 1Tho House of Representatives has passed tho Supply Bill. Senator Pearce called the attention of the Federal Government to a statement published in a business circular that the agreement of • Australian papers to take cables through one channel was an offence under the Industries Preservation Act. He asked the Minister to inquire if the facts were as stated. U so, iwould.be prosecute?