FEDERAL POLITICS

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7979, 20 May 1904, Page 4

FEDERAL POLITICS

Deakin-Reid Coalition

Press Association — Copyright,

Melbourne, Yesr.erdny. The Deakinites have failed to come to an agreement so far. They meet again to-day. The Radical section, when they found that- Mr Deakin would not accept a portfolio in a new administration, became viola-illy opposed to the coalition scheme.

Mr Deakin is stated to have said that, having become convinced a three-party scheme would not work, he said he had provided a meanr, by agreement with Mr Reid, for abolishing it, and though he recommended it to his party, he could nottake a portfolio in any new administration.

In the statement of agreement it is recognised that no proposals affecling the trade relations within the Empire can be looked for from the Mother Country during the life of the present Commonwealth Parliament, but the maintenance of a truce for that period is not to prevent the acceptance of statutory concessions offered by any other part of the Empire. It also provides that offers from Britain Bhall be considered.

The Labour Party declare the^y are not averse to any proper coalition, and were ready to welcome every Democratic member in . the House who believed in their poliGy. All members, pledged and unpledged, would be placed on the same footing, and absolutely no difference would be made between them.