'A. curious development is that the influential section of the Press that supports the Government is foremost urging the fulfilment of election promises. Three years ago Mr, Lyons was elected on the strength of a number of promised reforms, which the last' Government side-tracked into enquiries by various. Royal Commissions, With his mandate renewed, Mr. Lyons is now being invited by his own supporters to get to work, 'The, most important of these' r forms concern the adoption of the recommendations of the Banking Commission and the introduction of Jo scheme of National Insurance, The Banking Commission advised a'number of changes to strengthen the control of the Commonwealth Bank over the whole financial and monetary system, and, while this is assured of public approval, it Is viewed with suspicion by the power ful private banks, who ngfurally dislike the idea" of their privileges Jooing curtailed, As these banks have been strong supporters of the Government, Mr, Lyons is rather embarrassed by the obligation of adopting the recommendations of the Commission which he appointed, National Insurance Problems 'National insurance isan' equally delicate problem. The Government wishes to introduce a contributory system, white the Labour Party maintains that provision for unem= ployment should be a charge ordinary taxation, Several years ago the Government invited a committee of-experts from England to advise fon a scheme suited to Australian conditions, but has done nothing since, proposal that the experts should be invited to make a further survey provoked a retort from the Press that there was nothing more to be Tearned about the matter, and that was time for the Government to ct, Under the circumstances. Mr, Lyons has no alternative but to honour his obligations, and proceed with the scheme without " undue [Senator Brennan, "The Postmaster-General, Senator MeLachlan, who unexpectedly retained his seat only offer the Anal preference votes had been distributed, is expected to surrender his portfolio toa member of the Country Party. The Minister for the Interior, Mr, Paterson, has been in sit health and almost certain to retire, The reconstruction necessitated by these vacancies has been complicated by the claims of the Country Party to stronger representation in the new Cabinet. With its dependence on [Country Party support increased by {is loss of seats in the election the United Australia Party finds it dim Jeult to deny these claims, Consulta tions on the matter between the Prime Minister, Mr, Lyons, and the views and tattoos on January 29, February 4 and April 25 and 26; ride-shooting competitions for £10,500 prize money from February to 12; Dig-game angling competitions for £1,000 in trophies from January 1 to Aprit 23; Royal Agricultural Show and All-Australian Exhibition from April 9 fo 20; Australian Jockey Club 'Meetings on January 26 and April 16, 18 and 20; while surf life-saving. displays, international golf, cricket, bowls and swimming, a' national musical festival, band ctiamplonships, conventions and conferences, and. many other events "of a sporting, educational, cultural or entertaining. character are also included, 'And Canberra, the Federal Capital, which is growing up on modern lines, and promises to become a great cultural centre, lies in a vast amphitheatre in' the foothills of the Australian Alps, 200 miles south of Sydney, a garden ity of waite blossom, of lowering peaches, of long avenues of decorative trees, of white buildings, of thousands of tulips to transform Its wide, green spaces during the springtime of the year.
Far apart are Hobart and Darwin, the former the capital of the island State of Tasmania, the. other of the Northern Territory and now Austra-a's front door for aerial transport Hobart, on the wide and beautiful Derwent at the foot of lofly Int, Wellington, with cake and elms and Poplar, is century-old homes and Tremorles of the an. alo Gil Baslond,. "Rolling wooded hil, the deep river opening out Into wide bay, provide a selting of rare beauty. delay, "In addition to dealing with bank reform and national insurance the Government has an ambitious pro= gramme of defence expansion to and Jarge internat loan conversions fall due this year, ing rapidly for several years. but 1s now being, accelerated, Ships are being modernized and new ships will be added to the Australian squadron in the near future. The strength. of the Air Force will be doubled in the next year, and the army is being extensively mechanized, Special orders for munitions have been given to private firms to test their efeiency and adaptability in Lime of emergency and Government arsenals are being developed to meet the requirements) of the "expanded Shorter Works In reply to a deputation senting the Chamber of Commerce, the Tasmanian Premier, Mr, Ogilv has announced that he wil im= mediately Introduce legislation shorten" working hours: in retail shops, Last year a similar prop by the Government, was frustrated bby the opposition of trading interests, who, however, have now taken the initiative in asking the Government to proceed with the scheme, understood that the bill will prohibit trading on Saturdays by all retail establishments carrying stock excess of £500, but certain shops carrying perishable goods will exempt from the restrictions, This experiment _may have fare reaching effects, In other States there Is a feeling that shorter work. ing hours may, be desirable to counter unemployment due to the [progressive mechanization of industry, Dut there is uncertainty regarding the effect on costs and consumer prices. If the Tasmanian—experiment succeeds. this uncertainty will probably disappear, paving the way for shorter hours in other industry and in other States, Tue King has approved the appoint. ment of Mr. William Robert Mack-hess of His Majesty's Consular Servies to be His Majesty's Minister Resident at Port an Prince, in succession to Mr. F. M, Shepherd, who. is shortly" rélingulshing his appointment,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.