THE COMMONWEALTH

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 476, 7 April 1909, Page 7

THE COMMONWEALTH

DEFENCE AND FINANCES, e> WARNINC AS TO MILITARY BURDENS. STATES' CLAIMS. (IIV TELECIHAI'II—I'KESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) Syclnoy, April G. Tho Stats Treasurer, Mr., T Waddell, criticising tho policy of tho Federal Prime Minister (Mr. Fisher), declares his defenco schomo to bo elaborate anj costly. It would bo a sad day for Australia if tho people should bo ground down under a militarist burden liko tho people of Europe Tho Boors had taught them tho-lesson how they could make themselves reasonably secure by an inexpensive system of defence. Referring to Mr. Fisher's financial proposals (which are based on a guaranteed return to the States, out of Customs revenue., of £5,000,000 per annum, plus surpluses), Mr. Waddell considered this proposition quite inadequate. It was a serious matter for tho States to bo deprived of their fair share of indirect taxation, but it became more serious still to have tho Federal Government monopolising direct taxation (as indicated by Mr. Fisher's proposed progressive land tax and absentee tax). It is understood that Mr. Fisher declines , to call the Federal Parliament together early. It will meet on May 26, which is slightly earlier than usual. ADMIRALTY AWAITS NAVAL PLANS. (R«o. April 6, 11.35 p.m.) \ London, April .6. In. the course of conversation with Captain Collins, the Commonwealth representative, Mr. M'Kenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, expressed a hope that ho would hear soon from the Commonwealth Government concerning their .'naval plans. Hβ gave an. assurance that the Admiralty would cordially facilitate any feasible scheme the Government may favour.