FEDERAL FINANCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 334, 22 October 1908, Page 7

FEDERAL FINANCE.

MR. REID'S,ATTACK. A REPLY BY MR. DEAKIN. LABOUR PAHTY. (BT ISMtOIHFH—IttESS iS3OCIATIOBJ—COMEIaHT.I Melbourne, October 21. The' Prime Minister, Mr. Deakin, replying to Mr. R-eid's 'iittack' in' the noconiidenco debate, said! that so far from being extravagant, the- Government had been rigorously economical. The sums returned to the States hac] gone up iii a gratifying fashion, but the States were far from satisfied. Oil the question of Commonwealth borrowing, he said it was essential that some understanding should be arrived at between the Commonwealth and the States. He added that it would bo with the utmost reluctance that ho would see the Commonwealth embark on a borrowing policy. Tho Government, added the Prime Minister, was carrying out a policy which the people of Australia were more and more coming to appreciate, and were carrying .it with the assistance of the Labour party, with whom its relations were entirely in accord. Melbourno, October I '2l. The Labour party held a caucus last evening, and decided to ' support the ''Government. ANOTHER AMENDMENT. (Rec. October 22, 0.65^a.m.) Melbourne, October 21. Following, a meeting of the' Opposition Corner party, Sir John, Forrest (formerly Federal Treasurer in Government) moved an amendment ■W- Mr. Reid's motion, to the effect that the financial proposals bo considered in committee oil "Wednesday nest; It is understood that Sir John Forrest has the support of only a portion of the. Corner party. .