COMMONWEALTH POLITICS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8933, 27 June 1905, Page 4

COMMONWEALTH POLITICS.

IMPORTANT SPEECH BY MR DEAKIN.

[PRISS ASSOCIATION.] (Received June 26, 12.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, June 25. Mr Deakin', at Ralhwat, delivered a masterly criticism of Mr G. Reid's antieocialist and labor platform. Air Reid's platform was too nebulous, and the LaboT party's was very vague. Mr Reid asked for a blank cheque, Mr Watson for a postdated cheque. He was a Liberal, and not an advocate. He wanted something definite to submit to the country. With the present almost equal division of parties an early general election was easily possible. The Ministry should declare their fiscal policy as soon as the Tariff Commission brings in any report which shall raise the fiscal issue. Even if the three parties were agreed to sink that issue it could not be done. No election was possible without the iiscal issue. That was a cardinal fact in the situation. He added that if tlie anti-socialists desire our countenance they will have to put protection in their programme, and similarly with the Labor party.

HOW THE SPEECH WAS RECEIVED.

(Received June 26, 9.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 26. Mr Reid and other Ministers decline; U> say anything regarding Mr Dea kin's speech until they have fully considered it. The Protectionist and Labor parties arc jubilant. General opinion is much complicated and the situation 16 likely to lead to developments when Parliament meet*. Tli© Herald says Mr Deakin has cast- the die, and the rrieis must come. He remains fettered by provincial and reactionary ties to such an exlontthat he cannot even trust, himself to speak openly at the. time of crisis. "If we are to assume that, he is tho spokesman of a. party not. ostensibly in active politics, the conclusion id that the party is indifferent, to the cour6C of federal polities 60 long as its own selfish interests aro furthered.

Tlio Telegraph characterises the bpeeeh as a long-labored apology for his lost political bearings. The Argus says Mr Deakin'6 remarkable change of front is excused on arguments of the flimsiest nature. The change, the Argue thinks, will be most- mischievous in its results, and futile, in effecting the object which lias suddenly become- uaramount with Mr Doakin.

Tho Age says the 6pecch, read in any light, is a i/otice for the Reid Government to quit.