FEDERAL POLITICS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12564, 16 July 1910, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

SURPLUS REVENUE BILL

(United Press Association;— Copyright.) MELBOURNE, July 15.

Tho Rig-it Hon. A. Fisher, Prime Minister, in moving the second reading of the Surplus Revenue Bill, providing for'the payment of 2os per head to the States for 10 years from the beginning of the present month, pointed out that a special concession of a quarter of a m'llion was to be made to Westnilia, and deductions made during tho current financial year of £450,----000 from the States would meet the Commonwaalth deficit. He explained that as it was not legal to bring the payment into operation on July 1, he >uas going to pay the States the full three-quarters Customs revenue up to the -end of December, but would square up accounts so as to bring the total payment for the year up to 25s per head New South Waies' contribution towards the payment of the Commonwealth deficit would be £178,973, Victoria's £143,003, Queensland's £63.788, South Australia's £30,529, Westralia's £20.113, Tasmania's CiO-oCH1. Mr' Beaklii and roT.e other Opposition members cm itici?<d tho proposals in p, friendly spirit. Others opposed o:i th: 1 gro.md that Sir Fisher's methods <i'l dealing with finances- were unconstitutional. Mr Dsaivin declares that the Opposition generally recognised this as a settlement of the financial relations with the States for the next, ten years.

CABLES.