The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-22

elers made their way back to Adelaide by packhorse and train.
 On this occasion a more powerful car was provided, and everything possible was done beforehand to guard against failure. For the first few days good progress was made. but in the desoiate tracts of the interior travelling was slow and laborious. One stretch Of twelve miles occupied seven and a half ho1rs. The motorists state that they had practically no mech anical troubles except the breaking of two leaves Of one~ of the springs in cross ing Stnrt Plains. where the country was so rough and bumpy that it was almost impossible to retain their seats on the car. Only three punctures were experienced through out caused by the sharp stgmps of burnt-out trees hidden beneath the ashes. The old 20- h. p. car abandoned on the first attempt was found in wonderfully good order after seven months exposure to heavy rains and tropical heats. The tires were found still partially inflated. and little trouble was experienced in starting the engine. Mir. Dutton drove the old car as far as Pine Creek. whence 1t was sent by rail to Palmerstop. The worst parts of the journey were cross ing the parched. steep. and stony Mac Donnell Ranges. the Burt Plains with their mulga and spinifex. anthrills and stumps. aud the sandy spinifex desert constituting most of tho country be- tween Barrow's and Powelrs Creeks. and the rough Sturt Plains between Powelfs and Pine Creeks.~s Approaching the last mentioned place the motor ists encountered a bad crossing, in which there was four feet of strongly running water. tarpaulin was se- cured over the front of the car. which was driven full speed through the stream, carrying by It's impetus Q heet of water some twenty feet to thirty feet up to the opposite bank. The car and it's occupants were covered on several occasions by showers of green ants and other insects disIodged from their nests overhead.
 PaTliament'a sesaions.
 Parliament has resumed its sessions and in almost the shortest Vice-RegaI speech on record. the Prime Minister has announced defence. the New Pro- lection. the financial problem, the im- migration problem, and the acquisition Of the northern territory as the chief items on the bill of fare; while the capital site hill. an iron bonus bill, and a number of hills codifying and fed eralizing Australian commercial law are to fill in gaps.
 The Prime Minister tabled a memo randum regarding the proposed amend ment to the coonstitution IegaIixing the new protection. which states that dur ing the consideration of the tarif it was already understood that the bene- fits were to be shared between the manufacturers and workers but the High Court decided that the constitu- tion did not warrant the scheme then proposed. "as. the power to protect the manufacturer is national. It follows that tho policy of protection remains incomplete unless the Common wealth Parliament also acquires the power of securing fair and reasonable conditions of employment to the wage-earners j" The proposed constitutional amend ment, therefore, empowers Parliament to legisiate concerning the employ ulent and remuneration of labor in any protected industry and grants to the Interstate Commission, already au- tn orfzed by the constitution. the power of determining which industries shall be protected, and administerfng ex- clnslSely and iudicially. the 1egisiation on this subject. A serious danger Threatening thla scheme Is the dislike of the State labor psrties for any fn- reference with their control over the industrial 1egislation Of the Common wealth.
 Members of Parliament in Australia enjoy some unique privileges. In South Australia, for intance. the peoples rep- resentatives not only travel free them selves. but are entitled to a free pass for their wives. It has been arranged that for a certain annual payment to the railways a free pass will be issued twice fin each financial year to either the wife or daughter of a married member. or the mother or unmarried sister of a single member for any re- turn journey in the colony. If the in- tending traveller desires to visit any of the other States. an order Is given to the booking clerk to issue the ticket for Adelaide to stations between which through booking Is arranged. the cost of such ticket to be borne by the Government