THE ONSLAUGHT ON THE REID GOVERNMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 116, 17 May 1895, Page 2

THE ONSLAUGHT ON THE REID GOVERNMENT.

SIB HENBT PABKES AND THE PROTECTIONISTS. [PRESS ASSOCIATION.!' . Sydnict, 16th May. Sir Henry Parkes, m proposing his hostile motion in the Legislative Assembly, said he wonld not be a party to placing the agricultural classes on the baßis of open competition with another colony, suoh as Victoria, where the farmers were proteoted. He was not, and never was, a Freetrader in that sense. He wished the Protectionists to understand that he was willing to mako truce with them bo long as they made no effort to restore Protectionist dootrines, with the distinct understanding that when there arrived the great consummation of a united Australia i they would part as generous opponents. The Premier (Mr. Beid) and Sir George ; Dibbs followed. The debate ia still proceeding. SPIBITED BE PLY BY THE PBEMIEB. ! A BIG GOVERNMENT MAJORITY EXPECTED. (ifeoeived May 17, 11.10 a m ) Stdnbt, This Dat. Mr. Beid, in replying to Sir Henry Parkea' speech,. Baid Sir Henry's alliance with Sir George Dibbs was an unholy one. Sir Henry Parkes sat in the House on Monday in eilenoe until he Haw there was a chance of disturbing the political situation, and pirating himself back to power. Otherwise his duties as a member had no claims upon him. Ho was a traitor to Freotrade, and was dragging Federation from a high national levol into the mire of Party politics, and making it a bone of contention. The true national issue at present was the placing of a portion of the publio burdens on the accumulated wealth of the country by direct taxation. Federation would be dealt with at the proper time, and in a true national spirit. All the venerable ConßtH vatives had banded together to destroy the Government, because its proposals meant direct i taxation. : Sir George Dibbs said he was sanguine of 1 Federation being carried, and pending the decision of Federated Australia, the tariff should remain unaltered. Sweeping it away meant lessening work and wages, and olosing industries He demanded a policy of reciprooity. What the Other colonies wanted was tho New South Wales m irket, and Freetrade would block Federation by giving them that. Sir George's spoeoh was a* general attack on the policy of the Government. The House then adjourned . The latest estimate of the strength of Parties, made by the Sydney' Morning Herald, gives the Government a majority of , between 20 and 30.