FEDERAL POLITICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14278, 19 August 1910, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

PATENTEES AND -MANUFACTURES. Tress A-*oeiLition-By Telegraph-Copyright MELBOURNE, August IS. Mr Fisher says that the Government intends to see that within a reasonable time Patenters shall manufacture in Australia or forfeit some advantages. If the Government ha. dthe power it would nationalise the production of iron and strel. In order to c nv, n-iim-e the Banks, the Federal Treasurer intends to deliver notes and accept gold fur the lirst issue in each. State capital

THE CABLE SUBSIDY. A lengthey debate took place on thapplication for leave to introduce the Cable Subsidy B:l|. Mr Bruce Smith niainta nr.l that the Government hid no right to pay £6OOO to help the papers get news. They were i-ommer-cial ventures and should be their own news. It was simply a bonus for the Press. Mr Deakin thought the bettor wa. ywocld be to reduce the cable rates to the Press and thus involve th.Government, in no responsibility. If a subsidy were given the Government, would be responsible for the character of news given. He supported the Bill, hut claimed that competition was needed. The debate was adjourned.

UNEASINESS A LONDON

Received 10.20 p.m.. August IStli. LONDON, Au-ust IS. An article, x.gned '-imperialist" which appears m A<.o "Morning Post/" says that certain uneasiness is foil m London tinancia! circles of the effect of Mr Ki-hors land taxes. It is impossible l ) ne irinhiuliy reassuring in regard lo the prospects ol" Briiish companies, holdin.■; large properties, and it i s equ.aiiv clear that the taxes will make the holdmi; <.i lame areas in an unproductive form absolutely iinpossible. There is a rcmiit chance of their being declared unconstitutional. The taxes will cause a grave injustice, unless the Act safeguards city landlords. The! difficulty might bo met by a provision that the penal rates shall not operate as regards areas under 10 acres. It is unlikely that the financial stability of Australia is endangered. The ni mof the legists endangered. The aim of the legismaury is good, but the. method is experimental.

THE -DKFKXCK RILL. In the Senate Mr IVaree moved the second reading of the Defence Bill in rv speech which largely covered the details already cabled. He estimated that the ultimate cost would be £2.000.000 against Lord Kitchener's estimate, of £l*Boo,ooo.