SECOND EDITION. FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9136, Issue 9136, 8 February 1910, Page 8

SECOND EDITION. FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Mil. DEAKIN OPEL'S THE UAAIi'AiGA. (By Electhio Telegram—Ooi-yeiuht.j (Per Press Association.) Received February 6. 9.00 a.m. MELBOURNE, l-'eo. 8. "Mr Deakin opened the Ministerial campaign at Bullarat. lie said that at the t'ortneoming election there would be only two parties and generally one dividing line. The work done by the fusion. Government last session formed a basis sufficient to appeal to the country on. ' Until the Finance Bill and State Debts Bill wore accepted by the people no adequate forecast of the financial position waß possible. He urged the electors to vote tor both measures. He hoped the tariff in the future would bo dealt with apart from theory and general political doctrine. Wholesale- revision, he trusted, would become a thing of the past. There wcro anomalies in the tariff, but when the results of the examination were brought out there would, he submitted, bo more complete proposals on a new plan free from theoretical impediments. Preferential trade proposals would bo submitted for promoting trade with Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. The new protection would be formulated dealing not only with the tariff and protected industries, but, as well, fair hours and fair wages. Fair conditions of employment were the ends aimed at. He hoped to seo 'Wages Boards general throughout Australia with a Federal tribunal to adjust difficulties. The proposed inter-Stato Commission would be invested with wider powers of inquiry than the British Board of Trade. The problem of unemployment must first bo attacked in a modest way. The unemployable would bo marked and ticketed off and separately dealt with. A great deai in the way of social amelioration could be done by Government inquiry, supervision and aid. He indicated a system of superannuation or pensions for Federal civil servants and suggested that the States might be able to co-operate in the matter. The Northern territory must be dovelopcd and people put It must be defended and railway communication established. Reference to the offer of a Dreadnought was received with an outburst of hooting, followed immediately by a counter demonstration of cheering. Ho expressed the opinion that the scheme of defence which Lord Kitchener would suggest would be essentially acceptable in principle, practical in design, economical arid securing above all efficiency. On the Federal capital territory the Government intended to raise horses for military purposes. It would bo disappointing if the next Parliament closed without having sanctioned the building of railways to connect with the West and Port Darwin. Tenders were being invited for a nowor .and faster steam' service with Canada. Organisation of a drastic character was contemplated in the postal service and postal rates would be assimilated throughout the Commonwealth.