AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 2782, 10 July 1907, Page 30

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

GOVERNOK-GENERAL'S SPEECH.

TARIFF AMENDMENT.

MAIL SERVICES

MELBOURNE, July 3.

The Governor-General (Lord Northcote) opened the Federal Parliament to-day in the presence of a large and brilliant gathering.

The Speech referred to the Imperial Conference, stating that it would promote a much better understanding and more intimate relations between Britain and all the oversea dominions. It was announced that a bill framed on the decision of "the Navigation Conference was being drafted, and bills were promised for the amendment of the tariff and making provision for bounties to encourage new industries.

The Speech confirmed the report as to the cancellation of the mail contract, and also stated that an arrangement had almost been completed with the Orient Company to continue the existing contract for another year. Regarding the extension of the Vancouver mail contract, it was mentioned that the arrangement was subject to the concurrence of the Governments of Canada and Fiji, which would participate in the subsidy. A progressive scheme of improvements in harbour and ccatstal defence was under consideration, and the local production of munitions of war would be provided for.

Amongst the legislation promised in the opening Speech of the Federal Parliament are bilk to prevent the clashing of Privy Council and High Court decisions and for the payment of State income tax by Commonwealth servants.

After the speeches of the moTer and seconder of the Addrees-in-Reply the Houses adjourned.

A caucus of the Federal Labour party decided to continue to support the Government.

July 4. The Federal House of Representatives has passed a month's Supply.

Mr J. Cook, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply. He characterised the Government's action in connection with the mail contract as consummate bungling, and 6aid the representative of the syndicate had had a loan of the Government for 12 months. Dealing with the Imperial Conference, he said the present relations with the Motherland were entirely satisfactory. What was to be gained by the new secretariat arrangement? Nothing could be more ludicrous than the Government's conduct in regard to the Naval Agreement. Very few people were opposed to the agreement, and there was no doubt that the Government majority wished it continued.

Sir W. J. Lyne, in reply, said no time would be lost in submitting the tariff proposals. He defended the Government's action in connection with the mail contract. July 5. In the Senate, during the debate on the Address-in-Reply, the Government was severely criticised ever the mail contract and the Naval Agreement.

The Government has advised the Commonwealth agent to attend the conference to be held in London under the

presidency of Mr Lloyd-George to discus! the All-red mail route.