CABLE NEWS [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.]

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 135, 8 June 1906, Page 5

CABLE NEWS [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.]

FEDERAL POLITICS. ♦ THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S ADDRESS. NEW HEBRIDES AGREEMENT. PROGRAMME FOR THE SESSION. ipnnsi association .1 MELBOURNE, 7th June. Lord Northcote, Governor-General, opened the last session of the second Federal Parliament to-day. There was a crowded attendance, including several liuridred ladies. Mr. Seddon and party occupied prominent positions in the gallery. The speech opened with a reference to the general prosperity prevailing throughout the Commonwealth, both trade and finance affording most encouraging evidence of the soundness of business. PRESERVING COLONIAL INTERESTS. In reference to the Anglo-French New Hebrides agreement, it was stated that Cabinet had had the advantage of conferring with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and a communication expressing their views concerning the* protection of tho natives and the preservation of Australasian interests in the group was being forwarded to tho Colonial Office. The future of Papua has also engaged serious attention during tho recess, and proposals for th© new administration of Papua would be laid before Parliament. Meanwhile the issue of the proclamation bringing 'tho Papua Act into fore© creating New Guinea, territory of the Commonwealth had been withheld. The South Australian Government had offered th© Northern Territory to th© Commonwealth on certain terms, and negotiations in regard to the matter were proceeding. Th© Commonwealth had also, th« speech stated, expressed its willingness to taka over Norfolk Island, subject to th© Parliament' 3 sanction. The Navigation Bill was being revised in th© light of tho report of the Royal -Commission, and the evidence given, preparatory to th© conference to be held in London. COMMERCIAL RELATIONS. In regard to military appointments, preference would in future, it was stated, ' be given to Australian officers. The oontintted negotiations for preferential trad© with South Africa, New Zealand, and other parts of the Empire had been advanced tentatively, as far as desirable. In view of the present position of the tariff disclosed by tho recent Commission of Enquiry, it v/as hoped that a Bill would be introduced during the session providing for tho expansion of commercial relations with other peoples of British birth, and also a Bill for the promotion of immigration. A scheme had b©sn prepared giving assistance to thos© engaged in the cultivation of tho soil and new industries. It was stated that Cabinet would submit view's -with reference to the transfer of th© State debts, and estimates would be framed, with a view to economy. Immediate attention would b© given to a Bill for the preservation of Australian industries and the repression of monopolies. PROPOSED LEGISLATION. A proposal to definitely determine -the capital sit© would bo submitted. Other Bills promised were : On© for th© appointment of a fourch High Court Judge, another for the protection of Australian policy-holders in foreign insurance companies, and also Bills dealing with quarantine and lighthouse matters, and a measure for the appointment of a High Commissioner. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ■MELBOURNE, 7th June. In the Hous© of Representatives' today Mr. Deakin said that, when dealing with th© Anglo-French Convention a proposal would be made for incorporation in the convention. 'Mr. VV. E. Johnson (New South Wales) gave notice of motion in favour of the free importation of tho products of th© New. Hebrides to th© Commonwealth. ■Mr. H. Willis enquired if tho Government would make provision to admit the products of th© New Hebrides free of duty. Mr.' Deakin said the Government would not submit any such provision at present, but th© question of admitting such products free to Australia and New Zealand had been discussed with Mr. ■Seddon. • Tho Anti-Trust Bill was read a first time. There was a short discussion in both 'Houses on the Address-in-Reply. Th© Hous© adjourned to to-morrow, and the Senate to Wednesday. THE PROTECTION PARTY. • (Received Juno 8, 9.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. During the debate on the AddTess-in-Reply, Sir John Bonython announced that he had changed during the recess into a militant Protiectionist. He was understood to bo speaking for a large number of Protectionists in stating that) the Government would havo strong support in carrying out tttie main features of its programme. A Labour caucus was held prior to th© opening of Parliament to consider a. resolution relating to th© assistance to bo given to Protectionists. The result has not been divulged. [Speaking to a press representaffive last week, Mr. Watson, leader of the Labour party, said : "No important changes in the tariff can be made during the coming session. I will go no further than to help in removing anomalies. The present Parliament is pledged to fiscal peace, and to break tho pledge would bo to commit an act of disloyalty in which I shall refuse tto participate. I will help the Goverjpj.njjjj> g«gg the, AfitijTjrjwt Bill.'']