THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 304, 22 December 1903, Page 5

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

ENGLISH PRESS OPINIONS.

LONDON", December 21. The "Times" devotes a special article to the Australian Parliament, and says that both sides have hitherto made the almost fatal mistake of disbelieving each other's good motives, if the apparently imminent ascendency of the Labour element in politics can induce the opponents to uo justice to its motives, which at bottom are praiseworthy, knd relieve its suspicions, which art overgrown and enlarged, by frank intercommunication.*, and utilise its brains and zeal on a policy of mutual concessions for the national advantage, there will be a period of hope in store.

The "Daily Chronicle" says the coalition of the constitutional parties is easily practicable but for the fiscal question. Nevertheless, higher principles of State than even fiscalism are at stake, namely, the purity of constitutional government and the preservation of the party system from corrupt bargains. If the third party's domination became :i tixed principle in the new Parliament, the worst evils of the State system would be perpetuated on a larger scale in the Commonwealth. SYDNEY, December 21. Mr. Blackwood has been returned for Riverina, defeating Mr. Chanter, Chairman of Committees, by seven votes.