FEDERAL POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12930, 28 July 1905, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

MR. DEAKIN'S POLICY.

SPEECH BY MR. REID.

By Telegraph.—Press Association—Copyright.

(Received July 27, 11.55 p.m.)

Melbourne, July 27. . In* the Federal House of Representatives to-day, Mr. Reid opened the debate on Mr. Deakin's policy. He denied that lie had acted treacherously towards his Protectionist allies. The Tariff Commission had been created at the express desire of these allies. He did not shrink from the investigation as to what was the best fiscal policy. There was no possibility of the Commission reporting before May next year, the date fixed for the Government to announce its fiscal policy. He attacked Mr. Deakin for going cap-in-hand to the Labour caucus for support for his .skeleton policy. Many bridges had been built to keep this loosely cemented alliance together, and things would get into an unwholesome condition iu time. The balance of party government had teen destroyed, and arrangements had been made that were not on the lines of political principle, but of personal interest.

Mr. Wat,son defended the alliance. The Labour party, he said, was prepared to sink any idea of office for themselves as long as the business of the country wa.s carried on. He twitted Mr. R-eid with an alliance with Labour when he was Premier of New South Wales.