N.S. WALES POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 13

N.S. WALES POLITICS.

♦ REASSEMBLING OF PARLIAMENT. MELBOURNE, April 12.

The Age says that Mr Reid's policy shows that he is ready to wound, but yet afraid to strike. If the present delay leads to a further postponement of federation it will be due to the semsh tactics of the local party in New South Wales and to the bungling of Mr Reid, who either does not know his own mind or has over-estimated his powers of bounce. SYDNEY, April 11. The political atmosphere is full , of rumours. It is believed that the Opposition contemplate action against the Government. The session is expected to be brief, and confined entirely to federation matters. There 4s dissatisfaction amongst the Opposition on account of the majority of the new Legislative Councillors belonging to the Freetrade section. A petition is being circulated among the electors of the King Division calling on Mr Reid (the Premier) to resign, because they disapprove of his attitude on the federation question. The -Lieutenant-Governor (Sir F. M. Darley) opened Parliament at noon. Both Houses were, crowded. The Speech said that Parliament was called together, to deal with a special matter of great urgency and importance. The Government considered they were under the strongest possible " obligation to urge upon the Parliament the propriety of providing for the free, untrammelled vote of the whole, body .of electors ■on the momentous question of federal union in harmony and the maintenance of good faith with the other colonies, whose Governments conceded the leadership of the federal movement to New South Wales. The Government would immediately resubmit to Parliament the Convention Bill adopted by the Premiers' Conference. The Opposition caucus decided to- take no action against the Government. A section of the party wished to attack them on their general policy, but the ardent federalists in the party prevented such a course being adopted. When the question of appointing a committee to draft the Address-in-Reply came on the anti-federalistß in the Assembly commenced obstructive tactics, seeking to have the committee appointed by ballot. A thick crop of points of order has wasted the time of the House so far. In the Legislative Council the new members were sworn in, and the debate on the Address-in-Reply is proceeding. The Legislative Council has disposed of the motion for a ballot, and is now debating amendments moved by the antifederalists, regretting the absence in the Speech of any reference to pressing domestac legislation. ! April 12. [ The Legislative Council adopted the I Address-in-Reply. The tone of the speeches of the opponents of the Federal Bill indicated that they intended to firmly maintain their position. In the Legislative Assembly the debate on the amendment, which the Labour '■ party are expected to support, was adj journed. j April 13. | In the Assembly Mr Copeland carried a ! resolution in favour of the introduction on ' Tuesday of a bill to legalise Sunday liquor traffic. The House had an all-night sitting debating the Address-in-Reply. Mr M'Gowen, voicing the result of the caucus of the Labour party, asked for the withdrawal of the amendment regretting the absence of reference to the pressing of domestic legislation, and offered that his party would support the Convention Bill. At the same time, he urged the Government to introduce a Conciliation and Arbitration Bill before the session closed, as brewing colliery troubles might thus be averted. The Legislative Council adjourned till Tuesday. In the Legislative- Assembly this morning the amendment was withdrawrj, and the Address-in-Reply adopted. The House then adjourned. The Legislative Assembly passed the Federal Enabling Bill through all stages without amendment.

The Jlinistei for Lands, took hie departure from this colony on Monday. In the hubsery delicate children who turn from meat relish Liebig Co.'b Extract and the Liebig toast, the nourishing soup, and the I various little aavouriCß which dolight the < young are all readily, mado by its aid.