The Federal Parliament.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6208, 2 March 1904, Page 3

The Federal Parliament.

United Press Association—By 31eotric Telegraph—Copyright Melbourne, March 1 Arrangements are completed for the opening of Parliament tomorrow. Owing to the swearing'in and other ceremonies the Governor General's speech will not be delivered till late in the afternoon.

It is understood the principal measures promised will be Arbitration and Navigation Bills (the former of which will be given precedence in the House, and the latter in the Senate), Interstate Commission Trades Marks, Merchandise Marks, High Commissionership, Copyright Bills, and probably measures dealing with the capital site andthe government of New Guinea. It ia understood the Opposition will not move an amendment to the Address in Keply, as there is no chance of successfully opening the fiscal issue this sesßion. The tactics of the Opposition will be to keep the Government strictly to its declared policy of not interfering in that issue again under the plea of preferential trade or bonuses to particular industries. If a crisis comes it will probably arise over the Arbitration Bill.

Received March 2, 10.30 a.m. Melbourne, March 2

As there ia no official forecast of the Governor-General's speech at the opening of the Federal Parliament to-day, the Address-in-Eeply will possibly not be moved till Thursday, or the debate will be adjourned after the mover and seconder have spoken, to allow members an opportunity to consider the speech. Sir John Holder's election as Speaker, is considered certain. The Labor Senators have decided to support Sir Richard Baker, the Government nominee, for the Presidency, if the Opposition do not run a candidate. If the Opposition docide to oppose Sir Eichard, a Labour candidate, probably Mr Higgs, will be run.