AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 12163, 12 March 1904, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

United Press Association— Copyright

Received March 11, -0.57' p.m

MELBOURNE, March 11

The Right Hon. C. C. Kingston, in the debate on the Address-in-Reply, Warned the Government thai there were already symptoms of a fall from ■democratic 'legislationpand-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 portion of the shipping trade from the operations of the Act, nor should civil servants be excluded. He favoured preferential trade, but would like to see our duties kept as they are against Britain and raised against the foreigner. He did not think it would come for some time. When it did he hoped there would be no haggling over details. He did not like the idea of inviting any Imperial statesman here to advocate the cause. Australian interests should be dealt with by the Australian Government, which should make up its mind on the policy put by" it before the people. Ke was inclined to resent the invitation to Mr. Chamberlain. What would be said if the Australians tent; tb'Englarid to ad vocate their side of the Imperial issn'

The debate was adjourned till Tuesday.