THE FEDERAL MINISTRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 78, 11 July 1910, Page 5

THE FEDERAL MINISTRY

REVIEW BY "THE TIMES." By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received July 10, 5.5 p.m. . _ London, July 9. The Times, discussing Australia's new Ministry., says it seemed to have gained public confidence in an unusual decree, which was greatly due to Mr. Fisher and his colleagues avoiding the unusual things which the critics predicted. The proposed uniform Federal postal rates were presumably a prelude to Imperial penny postage. The estimates of the cost of canalisation of the Murray, Darling, and Murrum'bidgee rivers were roseate, and the expenditure would only be justified if it would provide a scheme that would open vast areas to irrigation. There was urgent need for a railway uniting West Australia and the rest of the Australian system. Such a railway must be built on a coherent plan, not serving petty local needs. The overshadowing Australian problem's related to the huge rich and unpeopled 'Northern Territory. There was need for a rapid awakening of Australian opinion on this vital issue. Australian politicians should realise that they were merely stewards for the rest of the world, and their primary duty was to more effectively occupy the territory. If Mr. Fisher's Ministry carried the north and south railways towards completion it amply deserved the confidence of the people. THE ARBITRATION ACT. Received July 11, 12.35 a.m. Melbourne, July 10. Mr. Fisher, referring to the appeals against the Federal Arbitration Court's award, said the powers of the Court were being whittled away. The people would be appealed to by a referendum to_ see tlii'.t the unions got justice.