Federal Politics.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11755, 4 October 1902, Page 5

Federal Politics.

Presa Association —Telegraph—Copyright.

MELBOURNE, October 3.

The debate on the Defence Estimates disclosed that the 'majority favoured a further reduction. The leaders of the Labour party and Opposition supported the reduction of tilie vote to £700,000. Sir W. Lyne thereupon announced that he was prepared to reduce it from about December in the proportion of £62,000 yearly. Next year lie will bring down Estimates with a similar reduction. On this understanding the vote passed.

BRISBANEE, October 3

In the Assembly the debate on Mr. Plunkett's secession motion was adjourned till the 16th. Mr. Foxton gave notice of inoticin rtJiat in view of the deficiencies' in the financies, and further deficiencies likely to occur from the recent action of the Federal Parliament., a Bill be introduced authorising the Government to sell Grown lauds not exceeding ten million acres.

The revenue for the quarter has decreased £227,000 compared with the corresponding quarter, but was £242,000 in excess of expenditure. The decrease is practically accounted for by the postponement of the payment of pastoral rents for two months owing to the drought.

MELBOURNE, October 3.

The result of the elections is that the Government has secured a majority of 37. No less than 21 old members lost their

seat*. Two candidates foitfeited their deposits. The new Parliament meets on the 13th.