The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 11, 1903. FEDERAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 992, 11 September 1903, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, SEPTEMBER 11, 1903. FEDERAL POLITICS.

The crisis in the Federal Parliament threatens to develop into a great labor movement that will have enormous influence in the moulding of Federal legislation. The abandonment of the Arbitration Bill will mean the hardening up of labor forces, and if the latter eschew petty jealousies and enlist such a masterful man as Kingston as their leader, the easy-going Barton and the flippant Reid will be confronted by a formidable third party. Of course, on the other hand, the democratic element may be overshadowed at the forthcoming election by superior organisation ; but the fact remains that the workers have the voting power, and if combined can, for good or evil, practically control the legislation of Australia. The withdrawal of Mr Kingston has been a serious loss to the Government. He is one of the most abused of men. but the odium was obtained in a good cause, the exposure of men in high places swindling their country through the Customs—a kind of abuse that is a splendid advertisement for a conscientious man with the backbone to deal justly with influential culprits. The numerous issues involved will cause the keenest interest to be taken in the forthcoming Federal elections, and that interest will not be lessened for the reason that the main issue will be that of labor laws.