FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12524, 17 March 1904, Page 5

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

THE LABOUR, VOTE* ARBITRATION AND CIVIL SERVANTS. NAVIGATION Bill*, [ CHINESE FOR TRANSVAAL.. By Telegraph.— Association.—

- London", March 16. The newspapers foliov the rumours published in the Australian press of the possible De&kin-Reid coalition with keen interest. MEUJOxrEKBi Mardh 16. Ik the Federal House Mr. Deakhi eahounccd that the Government did hot intend - to ask Parliament to vote the money necessary to cover the expenses of sending & team to Bisley. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was advanced a stage. (Eeceivisd March 17, 12.10 a.m.) ':'"'" - - ■ MELBotraNßi March 16. In the Senate, Mr. Higgs was dlocted Chairman of Committees. In the House «£

Representatives Sir John Forrest resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply.. Ho had, he said, always supported arbitration! in industrial disputes, .but he was steongljj opposed to Civil servants being brought under the Bill. The framers of tiie Cons stitution never intended that this should be.- 3 done. He thought the Labour parly mm putting on too much steamy and hfi advisM them to hasten slowly. (Beoeivsd March 17, 1.6 a.m.) MEtsotmifE, Match 16.. The Senate has been discussing Mr. MoGre-' gor's motion emphatically protesting against■ the introduction: of Chinese into the Trans** e vaal, until a referendum of the whites has * been taken or responsible government granted. Several Senators argued that a»'" Australia fought for the freedom o:f SOtttk-; Africa from the Boer rule, her representfttions against the Chinese ought to receive consideration.

(Received March 17, 12.10 a.m.) •:.;'• Melbourne, March: 16. '.'■',•, The Navigation Bill will be introduced in the Senate to-morrow. ; It is a comprehensive and drastic measure of Heady 600 ' clauses. One of the most important fea- : tures is that all vessels trading in Austra- ■■■• lian waters must be subject to a common rule laid down by the Commonwealth Arbi<4 tration Court. British vessels will be allowed to engage in coastal trade only Btt condition that they pay the same wages and comply with; the same labour conditions as Australian vessels. Foreign vessels are itt. addition compelled to give a special guarantee for the payment of Australian wages,:

Speoial exemption, however, is made in the case of big liners trading to West Australia. The exemption, is go worded that the common rule does not apply to British on- foreign vessels from Europe till they touch at Ads- ~ laide. They are free between thai) port and Fremantle. Special attention is paid to safeguarding the lives of waterside workers, and power is given to the Government to insist that every ship visiting Australian ports must have up-to-date gear for handling cargo. . (Received March 18, 11.50 p.m.; Sydney, March 15. " The Federal Postmaster-General, speaking at Mudgee, said that while the Labour party represented a large number of the electors it did not constitute a force which would overcome the scruples of Ministers. Thence would ! be no swerving for the purpose of seeking Labour votes. He spoke on the assurance of Mr. Deakin that railway employees and C&ril

servants would not be included in the A#*| bitratioa Bill. Such action will be an inta-! sion of State rights, and if it was attempted the States would be in open rebellion. ' There are p«rsisfcenfc rumours of serious di£*. ferences of opinion in the Cabinet over tfcef.

question of -the inclusion of State setrants iM' the Arbitration Billj and t<he possibility of . Mr. Deakin resigning if their incloaot si '. • carried. ' ' ■'.' \:-' ; fe