FEDERAL POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12601, 27 June 1904, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

By Telegraph.—Fret) Association.—Copyright. Melbourne, June 25. The Federal Public Service Commissioner's scheme of classification has been placed on the table of the House of Representatives. It deals with about 1-1,000 officers, and provides for additons to salaries aggregating £11,000. > The Prime Minister (Mr. Watson), replying to criticisms, said the Government accepted the responsibility for the policy of the scheme. The Minister for External Affairs (Mr. Hughes) says the Government has no official information regarding the statement of Sir Horace Tozer, the Agent-General for Queensland, as to a proposal to send out Italian! to work on the sugar plantations. He knows of no reason why the policy of the Government, which was identical with that of the previous Government, on the subject should render Italian immigration impossible. [Sir Horace Tozer's statement, made at the Queensland dinner in London, was that the Federal policy which prevented the introduction of immigrants under contract, had put an end to the scheme to send out Italians. The case of the six hatters is a case in point.] MR. REID ON THE ARBITRATION BILL. (Heceiveil Juno 30, 10.30 a.m.) Melbourne, June 25. Mr. Reid, speaking on Mr. Johnson's amendment to the Arbitration Bill, respecting preference for trades unionists, saict he considered that some of the provisions of the Bill were an unrivalled violation of the rights of citizens. Compulsory arbitration was only an interesting experiment with an excellent object in view. Giving preference to unionists was carrying the Bill too far: It was a hideously impracticable attempt to thrust the non-unionist into the gutter, and was intolerance of the worst kind, and would induce industrial warfare amongst the workers. It was a hideous injustice ; hideous in its inequality. He appealed not, for favour, but for justice for non-unionists. After the division Mr. Iteid declared that Mr. Watson had taken the only proper course in asking for the adjournment. Only two of the members of the House of Representatives failed to vote on the amendment moved by Mr. McCoy, upon which the Government was beaten when the Industrial Arbitration Bill was in committee.