THE FEDERAL PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 307, 22 May 1911, Page 5

THE FEDERAL PREMIER.

AUSTRALIA'S FUTURE. INDUSTRIAL AND OTHERWJSE. '*' By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received. 21, 5.5 p.m. ; London, May 20. At the banquet given by the Ayrshire Miners' Union to Mr. A., Fisher, Mr. Batchelor, Minister for Internal Affairs for the Commonwealth, said that Australia was having strikes because its prosperity was so great that they had to readjust wages and could not keep pace with the increase in industry. They had done more as a people to prevent strikes than any other nation had attempted. "You don't hear of strikes that have been averted," he said. He had every reason to believe that the present prosperity would continue, There were several great national projects in hand, notably the transcontinental railway, and the development the Northern Territory,,! which was one of the biggest problems -.any Government could face. Rather than it should be developed by black labor, the Government would retire at once. There would be a demand in Australia for many years for a great many,people. Mr, Batchelor declared that .during ho period of Australian history ;was there such a Splendid return for industrial capital. There was an abundance, of land awaiting workers. He advocated a reciprocal commercial agreement between Australia and New Zealand.

THE DEFENCE QUESTION. Mr. Pearce, Federal Minister for Defence, said: 'fin matters of defence we. have come here to learn. It is not going to be all plain sailing, but Britishers were never daunted by difficulties in the past. We are facing the question of Australian defence." Mr. Pearce said defence was not party but a national question in Austraia. Some thought they were attempting too much respecting defence, but Australians were always willing to take risks.