THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3625, 24 August 1901, Page 3

THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 9.29 a.m., August 23rd. MELBOURNE, August 23. In the House of Representatives, a long debate in ■committee on the .Postal Bill, on the clauses empowering a postmaster to open letters, practically resolved itself into a discussion on the merits of " Tattersall's" sweeps. The majority of the speakers favonred suppression of sweeps, but were opposed to giving the right to indiscriminately open letters. A number of letters addressed to Mr George Adams, dealing with important private business, which had been opened in Sydney Post Ofiice, although the names of the sending firms were on the envelopes, were exhibited as proof of this danger. It was urged that if the Government were desirous of suppressing gambling, they could surely find some better method than through, the Post Office. Strong objection was also taken in some quarters to interference with State rights, but the weight of opinion was that Commonwealth rights overruled State rights. The clauses were passed with unimportant amendments.

"Received 9.15 a.m., August 23rd. Mr Barton in reply to a question, said that the Queensland Premier's remarks about New Guinea conveyed a misleading impression. On behalf of the Commonwealth he had refused to take financial responsibility until the question of administration was settled. Through Lord Hopetoun he had informed Mr Chamberlain that New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland were favourable to the federal control of New Guinea, and as the expenditure involved would be £22,000 yearly, he had asked if, in the present state of the Commonwealth finances, the British Government were prepared to find £7OOO, the amount of lapsed subsidy covering the maintenance of a steamer. A reply had not yet been received. Mr Barton gave an assurance that nothing would be done without Parliament's consent.

Received 0.30 a.m., August 24th.

The Federal Postmaster-General states that it has not yet been decided whether to at once enforce the anti-gambling clauses of the Postal Bill, and that no notice will be given to Tattersall's prior to action being taken.