UNION PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 256, 22 July 1908, Page 8

UNION PARLIAMENT.

PROPOSALS OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT. . The members of'the Uuion Parliament held a very. enjoyable sitting in tbo Y.M.C.A. Building last night. Mr. M'Caul,' who had been called upon to form a Cabinet consequent on the .downfall of the Bretherton Ministery announced that the , new Cabinet . would be as follows:— Promicr, Mr. M'Caul; Customs and Labour, Mr. W. G. Comptou, Attorriey-Goiieral, Mr, W. B. Smith; Lands, Mr. P. Spragg; International. Affairs, Mr. M'Gann; and Education, Mr. W. YVaterstoii. Tho main planks in the policy of. the new Government wero .stated to be as follow:— Protection, compulsory military training, establishment of, State bank; leasehold system with periodical revaluations,, maintenance of present educational system, reform of the. Legislativo_ Council, imposition of educational test, which will practically prevent an influx ; of Asiatics, retention of Arbitration Act with amendments which-would place employee and employer on a more equitable footing, and payment of salary to Leader of the Opposition. . The Premier, subsequently, moved as follows .-—"That this House is of opinion that New Zealand's contributions towards the British Navy should bo materially increased' and that it is essential to the Dominion's safety that(l) our harbour ' defences be strengthened both. by bringing up to date such of tho present forts as are of strategic value, and by : the building of new forts wherever required ; (2) a torpedo flotilla be established, such flotilla to act in conjunction with tho forts; (3) that a system of compulsory military training of tho male population, between tho ages of ten and forty should be.devised." Tho motion, which was. seconded by Mr. Couipton, evoked a heated discussion. Oil a' division being taken the voting for and against it was equal, and the Speaker (MrCarey) gave his casting, vote against tho motiou, which was declared lost. The "House" then - adjourned.:.'