THE RUSSIAN DUMA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13846, 8 March 1907, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN DUMA.

STATE OF PARTIES. THE CZAR AND THE PRESIDENT. ■ AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION. Press Associition—Ey Telegraph—Copyright. ST. PETERSBURG, Marcli 6. The Right party comprises one-fifth of the Duma, and the Opposition fourfifths. While the Right indulged in demonstrations of loyalty at the opening, the Left and Centre remained persistently silent. It is reported that a law is already drafted restricting the suffrages, anil reducing tho Duma to a consnltive assembly. The President (M. Golovin) warned tho Loft to exercise prudence, and not to obstruct the Moderates' proposals to an extent involving another dissolution. Ho added that it was tho Duma's duty to carry out 1 lie political reforms outlined in tiie Czars manifesto of October 30, 1905. The reforms outlined in Iho Czar's manifesto of October 30, 1905, include the following:—Civic liberty, based on the inviolability of ihe person, and freedom of conscience, spcech. union, and association; the development of the principle of electoral rights; the establishment of tin; rule that, no law can come into force without the approval of the Duma, and tho participation of tho Duma in tho supervision of the legality of the nets of tho authorities appointed' by the Czar. Oilier reforms proposed by the Premier are:—The setting asido of certain Crown and Stale lands for the land-lutngry peasants; religious freedom; steps towards civil equality; removal of needless restrictions upon Ihe Jews; insurance and other legislation for' factory workmen; income taxation; the extension of local and provincial self-government; reorganisation of the courts, the police, and local administration. ST. PETERSBURG, Marcli 7. (Received March 7, at 9.28 p.m.) Of tho Duma's 458 members 442 are new. M. Golovin is a sound business man. The Czar, in the course of an audienco granted to M. Golovin, expressed satisfaction at tho opening of tho second Duma. Ho said its task would be all the moro difficult, owing to the numerous parties it included. (Received Marcli 7, at 10.20 p.m.) M. Golovin, replying to llii Czar, expressed the linpo that the most divergent parties would unite harmoniously and strivo to promote-their common object— tho country's welfare. Tho C'zar alluded to the numerous Ministerial bills about to bo submitted, and said lie trusted that the Duma would begin it s legislative work. M. Golovin replied that the members were fully determined to justify (heir Sovereign's confidence. Tlio Czar was most gracious throughout tho audience, and M. Golovin was subsequently presented to tlie Czaritza.