The Dominion. THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1913. FEDERAL POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1798, 10 July 1913, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1913. FEDERAL POLITICS.

TnE proceedings of the Federal Parliament, which opened yesterday, will be watched with intense interest in New Zealand as well as in Australia. The Government, having nominated one of their own party . for the Speakership, the Liberals and Labour representatives will be exactly equal in number in the House—though the Government will have the casting vote of the Speaker to fall back upon when necessary— while Labour is in a large majority in the Senate. The rumour that the Labour party would block Supply has proved to be incorrect, for we are now told that their leader, Mr. Fisher, has stated that he will assist to push Supply through. What will happen after that has not yet' been made clear, but the Attorney-General (Mr. Irvine) recently summed up the position very well when he said: "It is plain that we shall have to drop the poetry and mind the stumps." He went on to remark that tho present position was almost unique in the history of Australia, not only because of the practical impossibilcarrying out the ordinary legislative operations of Parliament, but also because of the immense difficulty in transacting efficiently the business of Government until such time as the party can obtain a working majority. The two parties wero not likely, he said, to be "found walking a minuet together" but the cablegram which we publish to-day seems to indicate that the appeal to the country will probably be postponed for 'a while. In the meantime, the new Government will go on with the business of the country, and throw the responsibility of developing a deadlock upon their opponents. After the passing of Supply and transacting absolutely necessary business, the Government will probably ask for an adjournment for the purpose of drawing up their programme, and it is not likely that this course will meet with serious opposition. One of the first matters to be brought before Parliament will be the question of electoral reform. Many irregularities are alleged to have takon place at the recent elections, and these will be inquired into. Referring to this matter, Mr. Irvine recently declared that if an election should be held at no distant period under the auspices of the new Government, every care would bo taken to see that the views of the whole of the people are properly represented at the ballot-box. Whethci an Electoral Reform _ Bill will- be ■treated by the Opposition as a party question remains to be seen; but tho complaints in connection with the recent poll are so widespread that it is unlikely that the Labour party would select the Government's proposals in regard to this matter as tho issue on which to force a dissolution. Tho leaders of both paities have so far been very reticent as .to their fighting tactics, and apart from a few rather vague hints they have carefully refrained from public reference to such matters. However, Parliament has now assembled, and important announcements from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition may be expected. An interesting situation may develop within the next few days, or, at any rate, some indication must be given of the main lines of attack and defence. '■