FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 13102, 7 November 1908, Page 5

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

LABOR PARTY AND THE GOVERN-, i f 1 | WITHDRAW' SUPPORT. TALK OF RECONSTRUCTION. ■ Press Association—By (Telegraph—Copyright*

MELBOURNE, November 6., _ After the Federal House of Repreeenta-: tiyes had passed the Iron Bonus Bill, Mr Fisher (Labor announced that his party had decided to'jwithdraw their support from the Government, His personal relations with the Government had been of tho most friendly character. The party had endeavored to co-operate with the Government in every possible way if they thought the matter concerned the welfare of tho Commonwealth, and in a straightforward manner he had endeavored to the best of his ability to restrain any adverse criticism within reasonable bounds, and to safeguard the interests of the country in Parliament. But when they oonld no longer do that he thought he was performing a public duty in telling the House the situation that had arisen. He frequently felt the restraint that ; a large party like theirs must experience ip, such difficult circumstanoes. He realised, of course, that the time might arise when such action might be taken by one;party or the other which would create a Crisis. Mr Deakin endorsed IMr Fisher’s statement as to the relations between the two parties. The Labor party were absolutely free of any obligation to the Government and to take any course they •tlimisrht fit. Replying to the Premier, Mr Fisher said that he had no motion to submit. Mr Deakin’s colleagues scout the idea of taking any notice of Mr, Fisher’s announcement. It is understood that Mr Frther made overtures to some members of the Opposition. There is also talk of reconstruction and of a coalition coming out of the complicntions. The House adiurned till Tuesday.