AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11252, 10 May 1904, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Views off . the Leaders on

Minority Rule-

Press Association.-— Telegraph. — Copyright Received May 10,. 10.1 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 10. Speaking at the Lord Mayor's luncheon, Mr Deakin seicl he looked upon the .restoration of majority 'rule as a- most important and immediate necessity in the Constitution. He was convinced party methods cannot be revised unless constitutional principles were given free play once more. The Labour Party put all beyond its pale. If .that policy were pursued by the party Mr Watson must be content to take the place allotted minorities and sit ill opposition. ' ' « Received May 10,. 10.30 a.m. - „: ■ . . . SYDNEY, May 10.. Mr Reid, addressing, a meeting,- said 'the present intolerable state of" minority, rule must 1 cease in the interest of the nation. He intended' to approach. Mr Deakin on terms of ('absolute equality .with a new to the', formation 'of ' a coalition government, tlie -fiscal- question being .sunk, r' Htf^cdiK, sidered.the.way open to make overtures.' Received May' lo, 10.1 a.m. . . MELBOURNE, May 10. ' Speaking at the Lord Mayor's luncheon, Mr "V^atson- said.,,if there, was -a majority opposed to the_ programme of the Government the sooner, in the interests of ; Australia it were' made manifest .-the better. The Government had no intention of going back one iota on their principles.. "Thay might not be realisable within the next few months, but there waB*no.intention.'to mislead the people as to what principles the party" Hoped 'eventually to put into active operation,. ■ -, ' . / "