THE FEDERAL CRISIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12957, 26 April 1904, Page 7

THE FEDERAL CRISIS.

AN EARLY COALITION PROBABLE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, April 25. (Received April 2G, at 0.41 a.m.) The eight-hour celebration-interfered with Air Watson's task of forming a, Ministry. Ho is busily negotiating with Mv Tronwith amongst others.

It is unlikely t-iiero will be any definite developments as far as other parties aro concerned till after tho Ministry is announced. Messrs Deakin and li'cid both claim that their parties remain intact. Those who supported , the Labour party in Thursday's division did so only temporarily. Meetings of both parties were held on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Deakin informed an interviewer that he considered a coalition of some kind essential. The attitude of his party depended upon the constitution and the policy of Mr Watson's Government) and a lcind of coalition was likely to be brought about. If Mr Waston's .programme was of one particular nature a coalition might, be immediate. If not, it might tako some time to elaborate. His party, however, would keep the doors opon. LONDON, April 25. (Received April 26, at 1.3 a.m.) Tho Daily News says the chances of his' success depend upon Mr Watson's power of coming to terms with the Freetraders. The strike of tho Victorian railway men has left a strong prejudice against the extension of compulsory arbitration to State employees. The writer asks, " Can Mr Watson carry it through the Senate?" Tho Daily Mail takes a pessimistic view of the prospective results of Mr Watson's compulsory arbitration legislation, and says that if he fulfils his pledges there is a possibility of tho finances of the States being thrown into confusion by tho demand for higher wages, which is certain to bo granted, judging from New Zealand's experience. Tho Morning Post, commenting on tho report that if Mr Kingston is well enough lie may join Mr Watson's Radical Labour party with a view to attracting recruits from other parties, says the next step will be the consolidation into a single party of the Opposition party as a barrier to the encroachments and arrogance of labour. Such a coalition ought at the next elections to experience no difficulty in securing a triumphant return.