FEDERAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 98, 29 April 1904, Page 3

FEDERAL POLITICS.

MELBOURNE, April 28. Mr Watson addressed the House. Ho said he was not prepared to state what his programme would be, Ijut it would certainly include the [lushing on of a Conciliation and Alteration Bill.

All depended on his supporters present at a caucus, including those who voted with theOovcrnnieiit on the Arbitration Bill amendment. Mr Deakin has been e'ected leader of the Opposition. The 'lteiclrtes mustered in lull strength at their caucus, and carried a vote of confidence in Mr Reid. The 'ijiiestion of a coalition was mentioned at both meetings, hut It was decided that! nothing bo done until tho Government Intentions aro known. At the first Cabinet the new Ministry decided to refuse entrance to ten Chinese who arrived at Port Darwin with Stale exemption certificates. In accordance wilh a recent decision the Federal Government will not recognise State certificates, unless the holders prove to be old residents with vested interests.

(Recoived April 28, 10.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, April 28. Mi Watson forwarded throug'h Ihe London Daily Mail, the following appeal to British workers : " I would appeal to British trade unionists and working men generally to hold their judgment on the Labour Party of Australia and further legislation in suspense, and not receive biassed stories which certain persons may from interestmotives be only too ready to pour into their ears about our proposals and aims."

ENGLISH PRESS OPINION'S. LONDON, April 27, Tho Daily News says Mr Watson's . position is interesting, though unstalble. After the Ac. bitr'aititon Bill is passed a dissolution will not be far distant.

Tin- Financial News, referring to the fact that there is only one outsider a member of the Cub'inct, says that, considering the party's programme, it is sorry for Australia and not particularly hopeful of the success of the next loan. The. Standard declares thai New South Wales Freetraders, who voted to upset Mr Deakin, wore pledged to support Sir Watson, ami it was thought they would have claimed a duo share of portfolios. There is, therefore, room to hope that the ojuiescent maljority will assert itself.

The Times says it is glad the constitutional principle that power and responsibility should go together has been respected. It does not expect any attempt to apply the labour doctrines in ptwetico will succeed, but a desire will be generally fell, that the experiment should be fairly made. Sir Watson perhaps i>oes not regret the Parliamentary necessity of compromise. Tho Times heartily wishes him success in li's effort, to impress bis followers with the wisdom and cx- ' pediency of a certain measure of I moderation.

The St. James Gazette. commenting on Mr Watson's cable to the newspapers requesting that stories regarding the aims of his party should be disbelieved in

England, published Mr Watson'.' political programme from the Sydney labour newspaper "The Worker,' of March utli.

STOCKS NOT AFFECTED. LONDON, April 27. The replacing of Mr Deakin by a Labour Ministry has absolutely not affected tho prices of colonial stocks, THE NEW MINISTERS. Mr Watson, tho new Federal Premier, is a printer Kv trade, and served his apprenticeship in New 'Zealand. He went to Sydney when 1H years old, anil became groom to Lord Carrmgton. then Governor of the State. Afterwards lie returned to his trade, and began to take an active interest in lablour politics. Joining the Trades Council he became president, ami was eleeli-1 member for Young in the State Parliament. He is about 'ID years of age. As a speaker he expresses himself perfectly, and always talks to the purpose. Mr Hughes, Minister for External Affairs, though a Sydney banister, is a member of the Labour Party. He studied for the liar under great clillicult'ies in his spare hours. lie is a goad speaker, but labours under the disadvantage of being somewhat deaf.

Mr Higgins, K.C., Attorney-Gener-1, of Melbourne, is the only " out-

sider" taken into the Ministry, lie has, however, always shown strong sympathy with labour politics, and has (recjuently spoken at the meetings of the party. lie may be called an advanced Democrat. Mr Batchelor, Minister for Home Affairs, has for years been an active memlrer of the Labour party in South Australia, and sat. in the State Parliament before entering the House of Representatives, lie was defeated in his candidature for the Chairmanship of Committees.

Jlr Fisher, Minister for Customs, is a Queensland Labour representative, of whom little lias been heard since he entered the Federal Parliament. He won his place in the Ministry doubtless owing to the active pari he took in the proceedinigts that led to the resignation of the IVakin Ministry.

Senator Dawson, Minister for Defence, also hails from Queensland. For years he was a leading) membei of the Lnihour party in the Parliament of that State, and was Premier for the brief period of eight days. He is an Intensely vigorous speaker, but Is in very delicate health, and may not be able to bear the strain of Ministerial labours for long.

Senator McGregor, Vice-President if the Executive Council, is a South \ustralinn representative, and leads he Labour party in the Senate. He, oo for a long time was a Labour ead'er in South Australi-n.: Origlinaliy a navvv, he U-i-nnit- a con tractor, oid is said to have means. He is ilmosl totally blind. Mr Mahon, I'oslmnsterCeneral, re-u-eseiits Cool'g-ardie, in West Australia, in the House of Representatives. He is a journalist, and was 1 interested in a Sunday newspaper before entering Parliament. He came to Australia for health reasons, and before that was a member of the Irish party in the House of Commons.