AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4504, 4 November 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE FEDERAL TARIFF. MELBOURNE, November 2. Mr Roid, in his closing speech on the censure motion, quite admitted that free track' was impossible!,' bub said there was a radical difference Duiwcen a policy which would pub money in tho Treasury com tho pockets of tho tax, payor and a policy which would! put money in tho poc-Kots of a few .ndi» vidua'la. ilo advocated a policy for tho benefit of tho groat bulk 0 f the people. Ten members paired on tho censure motion, every vote being accounted for. Tho whole Labour party excepting Mr Hughes, who moved tho amendment in favour of direct taxation, and another member voted with tho Government, the Kanaka Bill being a strong factor in tho party’s case. Mr Hughes, says that if there is the slightest possible chance he will move in committee to refer tho tariff to the people. Ho claims to have tho solid support of tho Labour party and tho Opposition. Mr Reid asserts that if all tho mem. hers favouring freo trade had voted according to their convictions the Govern, mont would have had « majority of only one. PRESS OPINIONS. SYDNEY, November 2. Tho “Daily Telegraph” says tno F ed, oral Ministry can claim-no more than that it has been given a tidkct-o&dcavo during good behaviour, or till it goes up for trial at the next elections. No doubt if the tariff passes into law in. anything like its present state its life will not bo spared beyond tho next elec. Hons. Tho “Sydney Morning Herald” says tho division represents a cleavage of the House on the fiscal question, not on the original constitution. Victoria domin. ates tho situation and Protectionists’ votes carried tho FerHeral tariff. PERTH, November 2. In tho Assembly, (Iho Right Hon. F. H. Piesse, M.L.A. for Williams, moved a vote of want-of,confidenco in the Alin, istry. His criticisms were chiefly directed against tho Government’s railway administration. The '.House adjourned till Tuesday.