FEDERAL POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1265, 21 October 1911, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

<y ELECTORAL BILL ATTACKED. By Telegraph—Press Association—OoDyrlght Melbourne, October 20. In the Federal Senate, Senator Millen (Now South Wales) made a slashing attack on tho new Electoral Bill. By abolishing the postal vote, he snid, tho Government would disfranchise about 30,000 women and infirm persons who used the post at' the last election. Fixing tho polling day for a Saturday would prevent Ilebrews and members of other religious sects from voting, while tho right of a candidate to ask for a recount would be practically abolished. Tho Bill would handicap tho Labour party, though it would so hamstring that party's opponents as to make its own position more secure; but if any relianco could bo placed on the justice of the community tho Government would really erect a gallows for itself. STATE AND THE COMMONWEALTH. Brisbane, October 20. The Mayor of Brisbane, speaking at a reception, voiccd the view that Queensland should retain her individuality and "paddle her own oanoe," instead of merging herself with other States under Federation; MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENT. Melbourne, OctobeT 20. Consequent on tho death of Mr. Batcholor, Federal Minister for External Affairs, and the rearrangement of portfolios necessitated thereby, Mr. E. A. Roberts, a South Australian member, joins tho Federal Cabinet as an- honorary Minister.