AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1036, 31 October 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

FEDERAL PREMIER’S SPEECH. By Telegraph —Press Association—Copyright Sydney, Oet. 30. The Employers’ Federation, considering their policy for the Federal elections, decided to support only candidates who openly declared for the preservation of private enterprise and were opposed to all socialistic legislation. The secretary presented a report dealing with the discussion in the New Zealand Parliament on Mr Seddon’s proposal to make the employment of unionists compulsory. The chairman said it showed that the experience of New Zealand employers was the samo as their own, especially in regard to the management of business. Since the Arbitration Act eante into forco it was difficult to tell which was master and which was man.

The Daily Telegraph says Mr Dealun’s new policy is me old one of making plentiful promises generally of old measures, the redemption which, as experience teaches, is a matter of consideration in view of tbo State political weather. His proposals for participation in preferential trade wipes out the fiscal peace prospect at once. If the proposal, as foreshadowed, is putting new duties on the foreigner and leaving British goods taxed as at presont, the tariff question must bo widely and deeply re-opened. The Federal Labor party has opened the election campaign, issuing a manifesto dealing with its work in the past Parliament. This declares that the party ha 3 a well-defined policy for which it worked persistently and unitedly, and which to a considerable extent had been realised. Melbourne, Oet. 80.

The Council insistod on its amendments to the Factories Bill. A conference of tho two houses has been arranged. Mr Deakin, in outlining bis policy foreshadowed the Government assuming control of lighthouses, and quarantine, establishing a weather bureau, the re-intro-duction of the Capital Sites and Arbitration Bills next session. State servants would be excluded from the operation of tho latter. Other measures promised were Companies, Inter-State Commission, Federal Bankruptcy, Iron Bonus, and Navigation Bills. Ho strongly supported the White Australia policy, and hoped it was now secure, but a vigilant watch would have to bo kept on proposals to tamper with it. He reiterated that there would be no interference with the tariff. The Government would fight for fiscal peaco and steadfastly resist any kindling of new fiscal fires. Mr Deakin foreshadows bounties to assist agricultural and pastoral pursuits, and assistance encouraging an export trade in perishable producss. Bounties may also bo offered for extending markets, especially with Britain. Arguing in favor of preferential trade he said wo must follow me example of that onterprisiug and cap able leader, the Premier of New Zealand, who has always been fully alivo to the interests of his colony. In tbis mutter be bus realised in advuuca of most of us th advantages to be gaiued and stepped forward to fulfil them. It is impossible to torecaut bow this reciprocity would develop, but besides Great Britain there is one splendid prospect of trade with South Africa and we might help New Zealand to share that. Hobart, Oct. 30. The Premier has resumed tne Occupancy Tax Bill. Consideration commenced in Committee. The debate was adjourned. '* Perth, Oet. 30. In tne Assembly an amendment to the Factories Bill, providing for employers paying a license fee of £25 each, was carried against tho Government. The Premier announced. that unless it was withdrawn whon recommitted on Tuesday the Bill would bo dropped.