The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1901. FEDERAL POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXI, Issue 13370, 24 February 1904, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1901. FEDERAL POLITICS.

Thk Australian Labour Parly is* losing no time in making- its preparations for lh& coming session of X!iCj.g is no"u r , \v , e ar-e glatl to learn ? some talk oi amalgamation Avilh other Prog ressiv cs in the (Federal Parliament, movement, that would undoubtedly hasten the advent of democratic reforms. But for the present (he Parly will probably continue to play for its own hand, supporting Mr Dcakin just so long as he is willing to make it concessions. It must not bo forgotten that the Party has no real friends among the great Australian newspapers, and wo must not expect its a'ctions to bo interpreted altogether sympathetically. Early in the session we may look for a test both of the strength of the Labour element and of/Mr Leakin';; sincerity as a Radical, for - the Arbitration Bill, which has Ipccu causing capitalists so much concern, is to bo reintroduced. The Bill will certainly Ire adopted, but a bitter fight is expected to rage round the proposal to include Government employees in, its operation, a- clause on which, the cable message stales, the Labour Party will insist. Mr Watson and Ids followers may give way- so far as to accept the inclusion of the railway, servants only, which would bring the Australian measure into duo with tho,New Zealand) Act. Apparently they are not disposed to leave room fur a repetition, of (ho disastrous strike which afflicted Victoria a year ago. Tho Federal Ministry is said to be divided on tins question, and the “Argus” goes so 1 far as to predict an early dissolution on that account. Sir William Lvne has expressed approval of the proposal, but Sir

John Forrest lias pronounced strongly against it. .Mr Deakin is silent on, tiia point, and the Cabinet has not formally discussed it. But a majority of tlio Ministry, St is assorted, is definitely opposed to the. inclusion of railway .servants. On the other hand, a majority both the House of Representatives and the Senate favours the extension of tho Bill to cover Government employees, and tho “Argus, which if> strenuously opposed to such progressive ideas, declares that, if defeated on the question, -Mr Deakin will ask for a dissolution, on the ground that the proposal is an interference with State rights. The Conservative journal looks for a coalition of Moderates ” which would sweep the polls in every Slate and crush the obnoxious Labour Party out of existence. Such an amalgamation is a danger which an independent Labour Party has always to face. It was avoided hero because the workers identified, themselves with the Liberals and largely influenced tho Liberal policy, and that is certainly the course which should commend itself to the Australian workers