THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10991, 14 June 1901, Page 6

THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

THE DEBATE ON THE SUPPLY BILL.

United Preea Association—By Electric Telegraph-rCopyright. MELBOURNE, June 12. The Supply debate is .unfinished. The keynote of the speeches was the necessity for economy, though it was recognised that adequate salaries should be paid under the Oommonweatth. The salary of 'President of the Senate was reduced from £1500 to £1100. (Received June 13th, 9.50 a.m.) MELBOURNE, June 13. In the House, Supply has passed all stages, without further amendments. During the debate come Government appointments of Federal officials were strongly condemned. At a meeting of the Commonwealth Labour party, Mr J. C. Watson (New South Walee) was elected Leader in the House, and Senator G. McGregor (South Australia) Leader in ,fcbe Senate. (Received June 14th, 1.2 a.m.) MELBOURNE, June 13. In the Senate Mr Drake moved to suspend the Standing Orders in order to take the Supply Bill, in which tihe alterations made in tihe House were not shown, through all its stages. The proposal met with a storm of diessnt, and was characterised as a deliberate attempt to be-little the Senate. The speakers were unanimous that any attempt to not recognise the powers of the Senate would not be tolerated. Threats were made that the Bill would be thrown out.

After assurances from Senator Drake that he had no deedre to ignore the Senate in any way, the Bill was brought in again in a form to meet the view* of Senators.

The discussion was adjourned until tomorrow/ ■