FEDERAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 22 February 1907, Page 2

FEDERAL POLITICS.

OPENING OP PARLIAMENT

MBißoi'ii.vn, February 2d. Lord Northcote (Governor-General) p >iid the hrst session of the third Federal Parliament.

T" Speech congratulated the CommonweaUh on ns unprecedented™. S| 'ft . 1 . rere " c 'l to the Imperial and Navigation Conference, and ail. noimced an agreement with South Aus. tralia to transfer the Northern Territory. Jhe report of the iloyal Comimssion on Papua was being considered with a new to giving effect to the re commendations. The Government proposed to submit a scheme tor dctermin111,' the linanckl relations of the Commonwealth and the States. The trade relations with tlio Empire would bo considered, and also a scheme of immigration.

T.UC NORTHERN TERRITORY.

MELiiouiiNis, February 21. ' The agreement respecting thoNorthern lerritory was tabled in 'the Commonwealth Parliament. It undertakes Ij maintain and work the railways when acquired. The Commonwealth will construct part of the transcontincntal lino, and also take over the in. debtedncss of the Territory. The agreement is not binding until approyed by the Commonwealth and South Australian Parliaments.

THE ADDKESS-IN-EEPLY DEBATE.

ficeeived 22, 11.24 p.m. Meluouune, February 21. The Hon. Geo. Reid resumed the debase on tho Address-in-Keply. He reviewed at length the result of the election. The Opposition accopted tho verdict of the country as favoring tariff reforms, but the Free Traders would still fight for their priviiges, but do nothing to thwart the will of the people. He hoped to see the fiscal question settled and got rid of as a political element. Since tho session lud to bo short, liis party would do tlioir utmost to expedite business.