FEDERAL POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1917, Page 1

FEDERAL POLITICS.

New Government P.e?icy

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.)

MBUBOLRNE, Feb. 21 Parliament has re-assembled.

Sir. Hughes gave notice of motion seeking permission to present a petition to the Imperial Government asking for a prolongation of the life or parliament for six months after peace was declared, or until the Bth October, 1018. Mr Hughes then outlined the policy of the new Gobcrnment, which, stood for the development of the Australia a national spirit by the foundation of Imperial ideals, and 'to develop the policy of the late Government to maintain and entirely White Australia and create machinery for the expeditious set dement of industrial disputes. There would bo no alteration in trie tariff just'now . Regarding conscription, the Government would abide by the decision of the people. It was impossible to see what the future had in store, but the electors alone could reverse the previous decision .

The Government intended to fully carry out its duty in the repatriation of soldiers. The Commonwealth had already incurred a debt in connection with the war of £131,000,000. The obligations for this calendar year for war alone would not fall far short of £70,000,000, and for other purposes than war, including repatriation and land settlement for soldiers, financing the 1917-18 wheat crops, another £70,000,000 would bo required. The probability of floating loans in Britain, other than war loans, was remote. The financial policy therefore, would be such as circumstances imperatively demand, namely, sound finance, but not the odious economy of reducing the wages of the working classes, or methods of forcing men to enlist. Ho regretted that the official labour parity had not joined the National Government. The reason was obvious that the official labour party was no longer master of its own actions. Dealing with the .Senate’s attitude, he declared that his resolution not cwu.y outlined the present position of the parties in Parliament, so far as affected the Imperial Conference, hut provided the only means whereby Australia could lie effectively represented. Their responsibility of maintaining such an attitude rfis the present, that effective represenaition must rest on me shoulders of the majority of the Senate.

A Crisis

BERNE,Feb. 21

A. semi-official message from Vienna says the Austro-American situation is

extremely grave. Count Tisza’s newspaper, the “Pester Lloyd,” states that a crisis has been reached. .

Equal Treatment DUNEDIN, Feb. 22nd. The Public Questions Com puttee of the Dunedin Presbytery unanimously agreed to appeal to the Mnisilter of Defence to take such steps as will secure for Ministers of all denominations equality of treatment under the Military Service Act. If any ministers are to be exempted then all ministers should ho exempted. If ministers are not exempted as a class, then those who cannot serve in the firing lino because of Canon Law or vows laid upon them should bo called upon to render such non-combatant service as required by the State.

Statement Denied.

WELLINGTON, Feb. 21

“I give that statement an emphatic denial,” said Hon G. W. Russell (Minister for Internal Affairs) to-nigh; with reference ito the statement to the Hamilton* Chamber of Commerce by Mr Smith, that lie knew of a case where ithe Government informed a racing club that if it suspended its meetings for tlie duration of the war it would forfeit its permit.” “Several racing clubs in Now Zealand,” added lie Minister, “‘ one at Cheviot ,another at Kaikoura, a third I think in Central Otago, and a hunt club in 'Canterbury, have notified the Government that they do not propose to race while the war is on, and in each case they asked whether they would by this course forfeit their right tp a permit for Ithe use of the tote when the war is over. In no ease has any pledge or promise been given by the Government, except this, that the closing down or race meetings during the war which I, as Minister for Internal Affairs heartily appreciate and congratulate them upon, will not prejudice their right to a 'tote perihit after the war is over.” •

Prohibition.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.

The Senate passed the “Bone-Dry amendment prohibiting shipments of liquor into those States already having prohibition, which makes them absolute ly dry, and fifteen more States which now allow importations of liquor are to be allowed only limited quantities. A total of twenty-two States,-eompris ing one-third of the area of the United States will hereafter he absolutely ary. This is tlie first step ever taken by the Federal Government to exercise control of liquor in the States.

American Net-

WASHINGTON, Fob? 21. The War Department announces that a not sixty feet deep encloses Hampton Loads. Swing sections permit the passage of vessels. -V - v