FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

West Coast Times, 25 June 1909, Page 3

FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.

THE CENSURE MOTION.

PBB PBESS ASSOCIATION.— COPXBIQHr.]

MELBOURNE, June 24.— In the Federal House to-day Mr Fisher

(Leader of the Opposition) moved the motion of censure of which he had given notice, it being to the effect that the Government did not possess the confidence of the House.

Speaking to the motion, Mr Fisher said the Ministerial party was a combination that could not be justified on the grounds of public policy. Many of its members would be afraid of losing their seats if they went to the electors. It was a grave reflection on the present Prime Minister and other leading men on the' Government benches that they should form an un-' holy combination, not to protect the interests of the public, but to protect their own particular seats. The Government, by its action over the!

Dreadnought, had taken the minds of young Australians from their own defence. The reply of the Imperial authorities to Australia's offer had not been nearly so enthusiastic as ' Mr Deakiii tried to make out. He (Mr Fish er) would be quite willing to render all possible assistance to Britain if it became necesssary. The loyalty that had to be buttressed with gitfs was not loyalty at all. The Government proposed to give two millions away at a time when they had not sufficient money to properly arm their militia or send cadets into camp. The Government was in no way presentative of the feeling of the majority of the electors. He felt it his duty to take the earliest opportunity, • and as many others as would be available to him, to compel the Government to submit itself to the electors. There was an indication in all the proposals of the Government to go to the Mother Country for this, and that and the other thing. "Give Australians their opportunity," said Mr Fisher, and Australia will take its place among the nations of the earth."

Mr Deakin in reply contended that the offer of a Dreadnought was tendered as a pledge of loyalty, not for a display. The offer might cover anj'thing else that would be an equivalent. The 'Government was* anxious that the real offer should go unsullied by any meaner motive. Mr Haldane in his recent speech' had stated that a great crisis existed and that it was imperative to deal with it.

A member : — ' 'Lord Beresf ord said that Australia's gift could best be utilised in Australian waters."

Mr Deakin: — "If that view is accepted by the Admiralty, it could le given effect to. The matter could be discussed at the Defence Conference."