AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4258, 18 January 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION

SPEECH BY MR BARTON. POLICY OF THE ■ FEDERAL • MINISTRY. ; PROTECTION FOR COLONIAL . INDUSTRIES; OLD AGE PENSIONS AND LABOUR LEGISLATION. (Received January 17, 10.44 p.nv.) ' SYDNEY, January li - An enthusiastic reception was accorded the Hou E: Barton (Premier of the Australian Commonwealth) by , a large audience at Maitland, where he was announced to unfold rhe policy* of the Federal Ministry. Mr Barton said the Ministry was not a ‘•One-man Ministiy.” nor composed of men with a shibboleth. It did not include all the men one would have desired, but there were only seven portfolios.. It was not a fact that any pressure had been exercised by any members of the Ministry for their inclusion. . 1 It was desirable, he said, that the Federal Parliament should' be master in its own house, and early steps would be taken to select a site for the capital of the Commonwealth, An Old Age Pension Bill would, be introduced as soon as the financial situation was clear chough to provide the necessary funds. The wish of the Ministry, was to have cheaper postage, telegrams and, cables. It was absolutely necessary to leave the field of direct taxation to the States. There must be no direct taxation by the Commonwealth, unless in a great national emergency, and not even then if it could be avoided. He made this declaration in view of statements by’ so-called "revenue tariffists,” that they were'threatened with £700,000 Ot Commonwealth direct Taxation, as wul) as Customs,

■ This meant that there must be a high tariff, however, framed. Freetrade was dearly an. impracticable policy. If the Ministry was to’ obtain revenue without the destruction of ''industries,"the- tariff must be such as to maintain employment, not to ruin it and business. They wanted a tariff which would yi a Vi. the sums needed without discouraging production. _ ,

Mr Barton pointed out that unrestricted competition in Australia womd tax the full strength of local industries without the unrestricted competition of the world. No one tariff of the six States now in force could claim to exclude its. fellows. Highest duties were not to be adopted, because they were highest or lowest. Each would have to run the gauntlet of criticism and justify itself, . r By this means he hoped to present v business man’s tariff, a practical working tariff, a really federal tariff, and so avoid disaster, suffering, bitterness and antagonism.

The i first tariff ought, to be a ten* siderate preservative of existing production and liberal in its attitude towards those engaged in production- an Australian tariff of the Australian Nation. ' Mr Barton said he would be happy to provide for preferential treatment of British goods where reciprocity was possible. r ... -v .. i - Amongst the’ measures to be introduced would be one dealing-with the settlement of industrial disputes, extending beyond any one ! State. He would t accept an adult suffrage for the Commonwealth. ■ ' ! Dealing with the coloured ’ labour question, the Premier said his efforts would be in the direction of having a ‘•white Australia.”

APPRECIATION OP THE CAPE REPRESENTATIVES. {Received 1 ! January 18 0.27 a.m. ) ; . SYDNEY, ’January 17. Sir William Dyne has received a letter .from -the Hon J, Frost , and the Hon F. R. Moor, the official representatives of Cape Colony; and Natal at the Commonwealth celebrations, in which they express, themselves impressed with the prosperity and profound peace - prevailing in Australia.

“In ouj’ hour of need and sore distress,” they write, “Australia came unasked to our assistance, and gave her best and bravest—a mighty deed, which not only helped to save our colonies from the enemy, but added to the honour and prestige of the Empire. We will never forget it. On behalf of ouu fellow-colonists we offer to those whose dear ones will neyer return, our heartfelt sympathy, and assure them that the graves of the. .heroes who,, have fallen in the war will ever be cared for. The women of. South. Africa, with the assistance of the Government, have taken the matter in hand.” ! ' i