The Dominion. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1909. THE COMMONWEALTH CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 519, 28 May 1909, Page 6

The Dominion. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1909. THE COMMONWEALTH CRISIS.

The repeated changes of Government duo to tho three-party system in Federal politics have become almost farcioal. The Labour Ministry) headed by Mil. Fisher, ; which lifts hold office for a brief period on the sufferance of tho Liberal party, is no#; doomed owing to Mr. Dmii? and his party having arrangod a fusioti with' the Conservative party undor Mr, Josepn Cook. That is to say tho Liboral and Conservative parties have joined in common cause to oust what they torm government by Labour caucus. The Labour party is stated to bo 27 strong, whereas . the strength of the combination is set down .at 43, while 4 members claim an in- . dependont voto. In tho faco of those figures the Labour Government could not expect to escape defeat on tjje first hostile motion) and its only hopo lies in a dissolution, The attitude of Mr. Deakin, tho recognised leador of tho Liberals, has been that it'was a matter of indifferendo to the country what particular set of men 1 occupied tha Government benches so long as thdir polie? was on tho lines of that of tho Liberal party,'On this understanding' his party supported the Labour Government. Latterly, however, a strong effort 1 has been made to bring about a fusion , of the Liberal and the Conservative forces, • with the object of creating '• a combined i party With a'definite progressive policy. ' Tho difficulty,'howevor, has been to overcome the strong convictions of the Leader of; the Conservative party. The chief differences between Mr. Deakin and Mr, i Cook have boon on tho question of Universal Military Training, on the subject , of what ia known as tho JJew Proteotioji,

and on the thorny qucstion ; of State rights. ' Up to the date of our latest Australian files Mr. Deakik had refused to recede from his attitude "and that of. his party oil the subject of Universal Military Training, and Mr. Cook had been almost equally determined not to budge. Both agree on the principle of compulsory military training, but while Mr. Cook sup> ports compulsory military training up to the age of 18 years.'Mr. Deakin wish'cs to carry it three years further. As the details of this question relate rather, to the future than to tho immediate present, it was expected that the, difference of opinion stated above Woul4 not provo an insuperable obstaclo to the. desired combination of the two parties. On tho question of theNcw Protection, Mb. DeaklN modified his views in the hope of meeting tho objections raised by Mb. Cook. Mr. Deakiu'b modified proposals wore to 'extend tho powers of State Wages Boards and Arbitration Courts so as to give thorn. Fodoral authority, and where such Boards or Courts do not exist to appoint some central authority to act. The idea of this is to provide that wherever in the case of a protc;ed industry an award is given as to tho* wages to be paid to workmen engaged in that industry, it will be ensured that the workers or manufacturers in one, State will havo no advantage over, tho workers or manufacturers engaged in tho same industry in another State. In other words, it means uniformity m awards relating to a given industry. It should be understood that in the case of-a protected industry special provision is mado to ensure a, reasonable wage being paid to the employees in return for tho tariff protection afforded tho manufacturer. No very serious obstaclo appeared to stand in tho' way of the two parties arriving at'an understanding on this question. The third difference, aB to the financiaPrclation of the States and the.Commonwealth, was one in connection with which Mr. Cook appeared to bo immovable. Ho has maintained stoutly the rights of the States, ! and although 4 is generally admitted that there is need for an equitable rcadjii»tmcnt, no definito policy on tho point has yet beon laid down by any of the parties. ■ From'our cable, news to r day,'it would seem that the difficulties which havo prevented the fusion of the Liberal and Conservative parties have either been overcome or have been laid aside for, future consideration... Already a Vote hostile to tho Government-has beon carried, and the Govornmont no doubt will adopt the usual course.; It will take time to consider itsposition, and, .eventually will'aslc for a dissolution in order to go to the country on its policy. . That policy is largely Socialistic, and'the battle will be fought on ■the old lines, with this exception: that instead of a three-party contest there' is hope of a straight-out fight-between the iorces of.Socialism and anti-Socialism,' 1 and there can be little doubt of the re-! suit. In all probability.a now mont will assume the reins of power, and its tcnuro of office will depend on the form and strength of the understanding jivst afrivod at between Mr. ■Cook and Mn., Deakw. In Ahb past no combination of rival parties has endured for any length of time, and tho strong antagonism amongst individuals of both parties to the present alliance may lead to oar y discord. Already Sir William ■mte has definitely dissociated himself fi'om his old chief, arid although ho has practically no/ personal following, he has ahvays been an influence in Federal politics. The chief hope of the future for tho new combined party lies in tho antagonism Of its members to government by Labour caucus, the gradual drawing together of the Liberal'and Conservative parties on the larger questions of policy, and the J growing fooling that the constant changes of Ministry are .against the best interests of the cofintry, " • ' " i "■ ;.-