FEDERAL POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 20

FEDERAL POLITICS

FINANCIAL POSITION SATISFACTORY. 3IELBOURNE, June 15. The Tederal Parliament has opened. The Governor-General's Speech stated that the linancial position is satisfactory. After mentioning that boards would be appointed to control the Commonwealth Bank and the Commonwealth shipping trade. Proposals would be submitted to Parliament for a reciprocal trade agreement with Canada and South Africa. The invalid and old age pension will be increased to 17s 6d per week. It is also propcoed to appoint a Commission for carrying out the construction of the Federal capital, and to push on with a further section of the railway in the Northern Territory. The Speech announced that the whole question of defence would be considered at the forthcoming Imperial Conference. It was also proposed to establish a commonwealth debt sinking fund and uniform bankruptcy laws . The Speech concluded with the statement that it was confidently expected that the public at an early date would be given better postal and telegraphic facilities. June 14. In the House of Representatives Air Charlton moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, stating that the Government no longer retained the confidence of the House owing to its attempt to limit the rights of the commonwealth ’•egarding its constitutional powers, with special reference to financial and industrial matters, and also on account of its unsatisfactory immigration arrangements. June 15. In the House of Representotives Mr Bruce announced that Australia would not be represented at the Geneva Labour Conference as the questions which Australia was interested in had been deferred until later, when Australia would be fully represented. 3lr Charlton, Opposition Leader, attacked Mr Bruce for failing to summon Parliament earlier and deciding to end the session prior to his departure for the Imperial Conference. He described this as autocratic, showing a want of confidence in the leader of the Country Party. Dealing with the Imperial Conference, 31r Charlton said he regretted that Empire statesmen were still directing the minds of the people to defensive measures instead of endeavouring to further the ideals of the League of Nations. The Labour Party believed in getting the leading men of all nations together with a view to settling disputes and paving the way to true peace. He most strongly condemned the commonwealth agreement with the States for the surrender of the income tax, declaring that the scheme was an attempt to place the burden of paying for the war on tile shoulders of the workers and people with small incomes. The Government had no mandate to fix it for a period of five years. The Labour Party would fight the proposal to the death. If returned to power it would repeal it. He characterised the immigration policy as a scheme to load Australia with derelicts. The Labour Party would not support immigration until Australia had made proper provision for her own people. Mr Bruce, in reply, denied that the Ministerial Party was a war party. They believed in the' League of Nations. He declared that it was undesirable for the House to sit while the head of the 31inistry was absent. He defended the income tax arrangement as ridding the people of duplication of taxation, and claimed that every precaution had been taken ny securing suitable immigrants. The debate was adjourned. The Government intends to force a division next week. Two other hostile amendments are threatened, but Mr Charlton’s motion is foredoomed to failure.

It is estimated that the damage done by insect life in New Zealand annually amounts to at least £7,000,000. A rather unfortunate accident occurred at the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, Canary, and Cat Club’s annual show at the King Edward Barracks (states the Christchurch Press). Some canaries entered from Dunedin and Oamaru were caged and left in the secretary’s office over night for safety. When tho secretary entered the office the next morning he found five birds had been killed by rats. The birds included • number oi prize-winners.