THE COMMONWEALTH

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 19

THE COMMONWEALTH

MELBOURNE, September 8. Mr Deakin, in moving for leave to introduce a bill for amending the Constitution in regard to the financial agreement between the States and the Commonwealth, adopted by the Premiers' Conference, strongly recommended the agreement. He said he was satisfied that it was the best solution ever proposed. He had no fear now of the need to float Treasury bills to cover any deficiency. He laid stress on the fact that after Parliament had dealt with the question it would have to go to a referendum of the people. The bill was introduced and read «» first time, and then the debate was adjourned, on the motion of Mr Fisher. September 10. In the Senate Mr Pearce moved for a select committee to inquire into the methods of the Australian Press Cable Association. He accused the service of sending inaccurate reports. The debate was adjourned for a week. In • the House of Representatives Mr Fisher contended that the agreement with the -Sta-tes' Premiers would restrict the powers of the Commonwealth, nampe* its development, "* arid " curtail its ambitions.' He agreed that it was advisable -to have one Commonwealth form, of. stocks, and if it would be so profit- | able ac to enable a saving of a quarter per cent., then it was' of advantage *o transfer the State debts. ' Instead of | agreeing fo the payment of 25s per capita to the - States, he would be prepared, to vote an even larger sum if the State debts were taken Over. He was satisfied that if the debts were taken over there would be sufficient saving eventually to wipe out Australia's indebtedness. The agreement should be referred back to another Premiers' Conference. The debate on the subject of the I financial relations between the Commonj wealth and the States has been adjourned j till Tuesday. The House has also adjourned till Tuesday. BRISBANE, September 7. Mr Kidston opened the election campaign at Rockhampton to-night. He said that it was unnecessary to elaborate the , Government programme, which was the same as that which "was" submitted two years ago. Its keynote was material- educational and social progress. He characterised the alliance between the Oppositioa and the Labour party as most unholy, hopeless, and helpless so far as the conduct of public business was concerned . He considered that the financial arrangements ,with the Commonwealth were a fair compromise.

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