FEDERAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81864, 13 October 1906, Page 3

FEDERAL POLITICS.

PARLIAMENT PROROGUED

PREFERENCE BILL RESERVED FOR ROYAL ASSENT.

Re nived 12th, 11.11 p.m

Melbourne, October 12

Parliament met early this afternoon, preparatory to prorogation. In the Senate a motion for the adoption of the report on the Constitution Alteration Bill, which provides for taking over the State debts, no<

being adopted by the Statutory majority, the Bill was laid aside. In the House of R' presentatives the Speaker read a list of Bills which had received the Governor-General's assent, together with an intimation that the Governor-General has reserved the British Preference Bill for the signification of the King's pleasure.

Mr Joseph Cook asked if duties were to continue to be collected under the Preference Bill.

Mr Deakin replied that as the Bill was reserved it wasjiot an Act, and, therefore, the duties would not be collected. He announced in consequence of the appointment of Mr Isaacs to the High Court, the following rearrangement of Cabinet: —Mr Groom, Attorney-General; Mr Ewing., Minister for Home Affairs; and Mr Manger, Honorary Minister. Members adjourned to the Senate, where the Governor-General read the prorogation speech. THE PROROGATION SPEECH.

Received 12th, 11.41 p.m. Melbourne, October 12

The Speech congratulated the country on the bountiful rains and general satisfactory outlook, and largely consi-ted of a review of the measures pas-ed. It expressed regret that the Bills providing for penny postage, taking over the State debts and levying duties for spt-eific purposes had been lost. The reference to the proposal to establish British preference concluded: "My advisers earnestly trust their efforts may lead to closer commercial relations, and foster a sentiment of unity between the United Kingdom and her self-govern-ing dominions/' It announced that preference had been established with South Africa, and with regard to Now Zealand that the negotiations of the Commonwealth with the late Premier of New Zealand for preferential trade resulted in the resolutions being agreed to by them, but as they were not acceptable to New Zealand, the project had been postponed. 'Regret was expressed that the Constitution providing for the future control .of the New Hebityes had not been agreed upon, or that a joint pro tectorate by the Imperial Government and France had not been proclaimed Parliament was prorogued to October 31st.