THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12768, 9 February 1910, Page 3

THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

MR DEAKIN OPENS THE CAMPAIGN. LABOUR AND DEFENCE PROBLEMS. [Press Association — Copyright.] Melbourne, Feb 8. Mr Deakin, Federal Premier, opened the Ministerial election campaign at Ballarat. He said that at the forthcoming election there would be only two parties and generally one. dividing line. The work done by the fusion Government 'in the last session formed a basis sufficient to appeal to the country. Until the Finance. Bill and the State Debts Bill were accepted by the people no adequate forecast of the financial position was possible. He urged electors to vote for both measures, and he hoped that the tariff in future would be dealt with apart from theory and general political doctrine. Wholesale revision, he tvu&ted, would boeome a thing of the past. There wore anomalies in the tariff, but when the results of examination brought them out there would be submitted more complete proposals on a new plan free from theoretical impediments. Preferential trade proposals would be submitted for promoting trade with Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. The new protection would be formulated, dealing not only with the tariff on protected industries, but also with other industries as well as fair hours, fair wages, and fair conditions of employment. These were the ends aimed at. He hoped to see Wages Boards general throughout Australia, with Federal tribunals to adjust difficulties. The proposed Interstate Commission would be invested with wider powers of inquiry than the British Board of Trade. The problem of unemployment must first bo attacked in a modest way. The unemployable .would be marked and ticketed off separately and dealt with. A great deal in the way of social amelioration could be done by Government inquiry, and supervision and aid. He indicated a system of superannuation on pensions for Federal civil servants, and sug- , gested that the States of the Federation might be able to co-operate in the matter. The Northern Territory must be developed and people put j there. It- had to be defended, and] railway communication established. Reference to the offer by the "Government of a Dreadnought was re- 1 ceived with an outburst of hooting, but it was followed immediately by a. counter demonstration of cheering. Mr Deakin expressed the opinion that the scheme of. defence) which Lord Kitchener would suggest -would be essentially acceptable in principle, practical in design, economical, and securing above all efficiency. On Federal capital territory the Government intended to raise ihorses for military purposes. It would be disappointing if the noxt Parliament ; closed without having sanctioned the building of railways to connect the West and Port t Darwin. Tenders were being invited I for a newer and faster steam service I with Canada. Organisation of a drastic character was contemplated in the postal service, and postal rates would be assimilated throughout the Commonwealth.