FEDERAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1480, 14 June 1905, Page 2

FEDERAL POLITICS.

MR REID’S CAMPAIGN,

MR DEAKIN ON THE DEFENCES. By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright. Received 12.50 a.m., June 14. Sydney, June 13. Mr Reid addressed a large meeting in lhe Protestant Hall, under the auspices of the Liberal League, to initiate a rally of the Liberal forces against tho socialistic movement preparatory to next Federal elections. There were similar meetings in other metropolitan and suburban electorates, and branches of the league were formed. Meetings will also be held throughout the country, and subsequently a central council will be constituted, representative of the whole of the electorates, to direct an active campaign. Mr Reid’s and some other meetings were rowdy, the Opposition rallying strongly. I Melbourne, June 13. j Mr Deakin, in an interview on tho quesI tion of defence, said that Australia, which I used to depend largely on isolation, was | now within striking distance of 16 foreign naval stations. Tho defence forces were 1 inadequate, and imperfectly supplied with I war material, being exceptionally weak on the naval side. There were no vessels or I forts capable of properly defending the coasts. It was doubtful if they were preI pared to meet a dash by cruisers. They I were markedly deficient in defensible, I coaling and refitting stations. He did not | think Australia could afford an extension | of the naval agreement until they placed I tho harbors, coaling stations and naval I bases in a fit state of protection. A great I influx of desirable settlers waß necessary in I view of efficient defence of the whole I continent. Given that they had the highest ] hopes of future naval development. The | very least that they could bo content with I was such expenditure and such defence I forces as were a reasonable guarantee of I the ports, cities, and coast.

NO CONFIDENCE MOTION.

By (Electric Telegraph—Eer Press Association. Received 1.30 a.m., June 14. Sydney, June 13. In the Assembly, on the Address-in-Reply, Mr McGowon strongly attacked the Government over the Arbitration Bill. Ho moved an amendment censuring the Government for refusing or noglectmg to administer the law, thereby allowing the Arbitration Court to become, to all intents and purposes, dead. Tho debate is proceeding. The Council adopted the Address.