FEDERAL POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1926, Page 4

FEDERAL POLITICS.

GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS. THE NEW SPEAKER. [by TELEGRAPH —rER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MELBOURNE, January 10. With full ceremonial not seen since the tv ar, the Federal Government opened to-'day. The Governor-General Lord Stonehaven, said that Ministers welcomed the Locarno Pact, and were now (riving their earnest consideration to the manner in which that treaty affected the Empire as a whole. He said prosperous conditions in the Commonwealth were being maintained, and the financial position was sound. The Ministers realised the vital importance of providing the greatest measure of defence, and accordingly, they were proceeding with a programme of naval military and air defence.

The Governor-General’s speech concluded with a statement that the recent elections showed that the people of Australia were determined to maintain law and order, and to protect the Commonwealth against sinister activities of persons pursuing a policy of disturbance find unrest in order to promote revolutionary objects.

Sir Littleton Groom was elected Speaker. When he was nominated the Labour Party launched a bitter attack on the Government, a speaker stating that Sir L. Groom had been compelled to resign his portfolio as Attorney-General because of the had advice that he gave the Government over the Deportation Act. and the Speakership had been offered him as a halm to his injured feelings. Air Bruce, in a vigorous reply, denied this, stating that Sir 1,. Groom had resigned the portfolio of AttorneyGeneral some time before the High Court delivered its judgment in the deportation eases. MELBOURNE. .January Id.

The Governor’s speech stated that, to give effect to the mandate secured at the elections, the Government proposed to legislate forbidding the establishment of associations having for their objective a. forcible overthrow of constitutional government, and providing for the the punishment of persons promoting the objects of such associations. Legislation to prevent the dislocation of trade and commerce by interference with the transport of goods or passengers would also be submitted. The speech then outlined arbitration proposals mentioned by All' Bruce in his policy speech. It concluded by announcing that the seat of Government would be transferred to Canberra early in the new year.

The House adjourned until to-mor-row. out of respect for Queen Alexandra, and also as a tribute to the late Sir Austin Chapman. FEDERAL ELECTION PETITION. ■SYDNEY. January 17. Air MacDonald, the defeated candidate for Barton at the Federal elections, lias lodged a petilion in the Registry of the High Court, challenging the validity of the return of his opponcut, Air Ley.