THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXX, Issue 12320, 12 March 1904, Page 3

THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

United Tress Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copvriglit. Received 10.57 p.m., March 11th. MELBOURNE, March 11. Mr Kingston, in the debate on the Address-in-Reply, warned the Government that there were* ah eady symptoms of their fall from democratic legislation ; they were unwarily approaching pitfalls. The success of the Arbitration Act depended on compliance with its awards by both sides. Stern justice should be', meted out to those who set it at defiance. He would strongly oppose excluding any portkn. of the shipping trade from the" operation of the Act, nor should civil servants be excluded. Hs favoured prelerential trade, but he would like to see our duties kept as they are against Britain'and -raised against the fo--reigner. He "did not. think it would come for some time; when it did he hoped that thete would be no haggling over details. He did not like the idea of inviting any Imperial statesman here to advocate any 'cause. : Australian interests should only be dealt with by the Australian Government, which should make up its mind on the policy put by it before the people. He was inclined to resent the invitation to Mr Chamberlain. What would be said if Australians sent to England to advocate their side of the Imperial issue? The debate was adjourned till Tuesday-.