THE COMMONWEALTH

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 543, 25 June 1909, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH

DEAKIN-COOK CABINET.. AN ANTICIPATED MAJORITY OF TEW. LABOTJR ATTACK, tttf Tclcgraph.-l'res? Assoclotlon.-Ooryright) Melbourne, Juno 24. It is anticipated that tDe Government will have a majority of about ton on Mr. Fisher's motion of censuro. Sir JVilliam Lyno has given notico in the Houso of a motion in favour of a Bill to remove anomalies in the Custonw tariff. NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE. "UNHOLY COMBINATION" ATTACKED. NAVAL PKOBLEM. ' (Rec. Juno 24, 1J.40 p.m.) Melbourne, Juno 24. When tho Houso of Representatives met to-day Mr. A. Fislioi, ex-Prime Minister, and Leader of tho Lnbour Opposition, moved —"That tiro Government docs not possess tho confidence of tho House."

■Mr. Fisher said that tho Ministerial party was a co'nibination that could not be justified on; grounds of public poliey.":Many, of its members were afraid of. losing their seati if they to tlio electors. It was ; a reflection':oh' the present! Prime Minister (Mr. Doakin) and other'leading men on tho Government benches that, thoy should, form nn unholy.combination not to. protect'.the interests, of public, but to protect: thoir own particular seats. '.'' ■ ' . : : : : .

No Money far tho Militia.

The Government, by action over the Dreadnought offer, had taken tlw minds of jGiing Australiailß from their own defence, The reply of tho Imperial authorities to Australia's offer had not been nearly eo enthusiastic as Mr. Dcakin tried to make out. He (Mr. Fisher) noujd bo qnito willing to lender all possible assistance to Britain if it became necessary, but tho loyalty that Imd to bo buttressed up with giffa was not loyalty at nil. Tho Government proposed to give two niillions away at a time when they had not sufficient money to proporiy arm tho militia or to send the cadets to camp. Tho Government, continued Mr. Fisher, ncro in no nay representative of tho feeling of the majority of tbo electors. Ho felt it t<> bo hie duty to take tho oarlicst opportunity—ami as many other? as would bo availl>blo to him—to compel tho Government to submit itself to tho electors. There was nn indication in all tho proposals of the Government of a tendency to go to the Mother Country for this, that, and tho other thing. Givo Austr-lnns their opportunity, and Au'etralia would (ake its place among tho nations of tho earth.

How Csn the cift Best bo Utilised?

Mr. Dcikin, in reply, contended, tliat tbo offer of a Dreadnought was tendered by Australia ns a pledge of loyalty, not for purposes of display. Tho offer might ooror anything else that would bo an equivalent. The Government were anxious'that a real offer should go, unsullied by any meaner motive. Mr. Haldano (British Secretary for War), in a speech, had stated that a great crisis existed, and that it wae imperative to deal with it. * ' •' * An hon., member: Admiral Lord Charles Bcrcsford said thot Australia's gift could boat bo utilised in Australian waters. ■ Mr, noalcin.-If that view is accepted by tho Admiralty, it can bo given effect to. This matter, added tho Prime Minister, could bo discussed at the Defence Confer' enco.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, (Rcc.'Jiino 24, 11,40 p.m.) Molbourno, Juno 24. Tho Federal Sot eminent proposes to sub. put to Parliament a scheme of insurance against unemployment

ACTION AGAINST TRUSTS Malbouma, Juno 24 Tho Federal Government lias decided to take action regarding tho alleged coal and confectionery combines.

..STATE OF THE ANTI-TRUST LAW. •: .TM n]le fpd. coal combine to tho , causaCf certain notions in which the High Cowtinvo judgment o,i June B.v The Iluddart-Parte/Jo and the company's -manager, Mr, "Anolcton ' nt, penlodngainst fines of U!S bwii, whlcf imposed on thian- for refusing to answer <S lions aslve. .of them with' JegarHS"fi with t(io cpul trade;; Tho miestions wove biehlv technical, and ,the High clmrt I■ i B " I posed on , the manngcr, ■: Tho main isiiie iw ns to low:much of. tbp anti-trqet t2' Rive it its correot name, tho Anstmlian In." piKtnw , Preforvation Act-was. ■ ulff" viiSTho Coi,rt held that tho Act was ultra tho powers of the Commonwealth, n 6 Q to as intcrforcnoe with eorporaHo s which are .-solely/ concerned witlr tlu7nSl rude of a State. : But. this does no f ■ comprise the wholQ or even the greater part of the P Act AIL those, parts of the Act ■ whioh are limited to foreign' and interstate trade, and wtich prfInbit wi poualue oombinaUone in restraint of or monopolies of suoli trado, ' remain unim' nenphed. , This statement holds good, whether the persons engaged in- these , comWtionsi and monopolies are individuals or ooinpaniee, or