FEDERAL POLITICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14238, 2 July 1910, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH, Pwb Awxa»tion-By Telegraph-Copyright Received 8.45 p.m., July Ist. Melbourne/July 1. The Federal Parliament was opened to-day. After the swearing m and administration of the oath of allegiance, Mr Turley was elected President of the" Senate and Mr McDonald Speaker of the House.

The Governor-General's speech deplored the death of King Edward nnd promised legislation ■ .d^alins 1 -with the' financial relations with'the States, tiio Commwrrealtt note iuwi, nwhiction-of

the pension age. a progressive tax on the unimproved value of land With excmption of £.5000, repeal of the Naval Loan Act of last year, a Bill to give the Commonwealth power to deal effectively with trusts, combinations, and monopolies in relation to trade, manufacture, production, industrial matters, and navigation. Parliament is to be asked to pass these measures during this session , er measures promised are for the taking over of the Northern Territory, defence Bills, uniform postage rate* throughout the Commonwealth, the regulation of matters connected with navigation and shipping, the rectification of tariff anomalies, the subsidising of an independent news service over the Pacific cable, and active steps to promote immigration.

The Speech referred to the negotiations with Great Britain and New Zealand for a wireless system connecting Australia. New Zealand, and Fiji; and, referring to the Pacific cable having; a telegraph line across Canada, declared that the question of obtaining permanent use of a line, as well as a cable "cross the Atlantic, thus securing a> State-owned service between the United Kmedom and Australia, is under consideration.

[ FEDERAL REVENUE. Received 12.3 a.m.. July 2nd. MELBOURNE, July 1. The Federal Customs excise revenue for the year was £11,322,328. The amount repaid to the States was £5,524;627, and stOl £406,894 is doe to the States. This, added to the sum taken from the trust funds, malcM ~ the total deficit for the year £450, Mr Fisher in introducing • a - months' supply Bill for £744,331, saidthat £300.000 was required as progress payment for the armoured, cruiser now building. It was intended to cover the deficit by borrowing temporarily from trust funds.

The Supply Bill was passed. Y otes of sympathy and loyalty to the King were adopted. Mr Poynton was appointed chairmen of committees.

THE POSTAL REVENUE. The Federal postal revenue is £3,772,512. an increase of £325,423 compared with last year. The Government proposes repaying three fourths of the revenue to "th* States till the end of the current year, then on a basis of 25s per head of population. Mr O'Keefe was elected Chiirmu of Committees of tha Senate.