THE FEDERAL CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12551, 19 April 1904, Page 4

THE FEDERAL CRISIS.

The Commonwealth House of Representatives to-day resumes the consideration of the Arbitration Bill. The point at issue is an amendment bringing Stat© employees under the operations of the measure. This has been moved by the Leader of the Labour Party, and although not avowedly supported by the Opposition is receiving such support that the Federal Ministry, which opposes the amendment, anticipates defeat. It is, of course, not imperative that Mr. Deakin , should resign if defeated. He might still retain office if he were prepared to openly acknowledge an uncrowned Parliamentary king in the person of Mr. Watson, and to avowedly depend upon that gentleman's humour for power; or he may ask the GovernorGeneral for a dissolution and, in the event of that being granted him, appeal to the country. The latter would seem to be even more unlikely than the former, for the elections are still fresh and the temper of the Commonwealth electors was hardly such as to encourage Mr. Deakin to appeal to them so soon. It is not unlikely that the Federal Premier may be altogether tired of the triangular character of Australian parties, and be more than ready to put an end to an intolerable situation by casting responsibility upon other shoulders. His possible resignation may be followed by a series of shortlived Administrations, and the outcome from political chaos be found in the burying of the fiscal question and the final appearance of two parties only in Federal politics.