FEDERAL POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3038, 7 November 1908, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

STRAINED RELATIONS. LABOUR PARTY AND DEAKIN GOVERNMENT. Received November 6, 10.35 a.m. MELBOURNE, November 6. Strained relations exist between the Labour Party and the Deakin Government, principally over the proposed amendment of the Constitution in the direction of giving effect to the new protection. The Labourites strongly oppose the vesting of larger powers in the Inter-State Cummission, and many condemn the commission altogether. They prefer to leave the imposition of working conditions and rates of wages to the Arbitration Court. At a caucus it was practically decided to break away from tho Government.

Mr Fisher, Leader of the Labour Party, is expected to make an official statement to-day. AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. Received November 6, 9.50 p.m. MELBOURNE, November 6. In tha House Mr Fisher annouced that the Labour Party had decided to withdraw its suport from the Government. He gave no specific reasons. In to Mr Deakin, Mr Fisher said that he had no motion to submit, and the House adjourned.

COST OP NATIONAL DEFENCE. Received November 6, 10.35 a.m. MELBOURNE, November 6. Mr Mahon, in the House of Representatives, moved —"That the practice of defraying the cost of national defence out Customs and Excise is inequitable and unjust, and should be discontinued; that, as one of the principal objects id the protection of private wealth, its possessors should be required to contribute by direct taxation an adequate sum for naval and military defence;" The private wealth of Australia, said Mr Mahon, amounted to a thousand millions, and it was estimated that 810 millions was owned by 8,450 persons. The debate as not finished.

The Stewards of the Masterton Racing Club will meet this afternoon, when a balance-sheet in connection with the recent meeting will be presented by the secretary (Mr A. Hathaway). It will be satisfactory to the members of the Club and the racing public generally to learn that a profit of between £l5O and £l6O will be cleared by the Club over the meeting. In view of the Club having increased the stakes for the meeting by £lO5, the result is one they deserve to be congratulated on. Mr C. F. B. Livesay, Architect of Wet lington, has moved to more convenient rooms in the National Mutual Chambers, Customhouse Quay, (adjoining the Head Office of the Bank of N.Z.) Addres3— P.O. Box 771. Telephone 2692. A GOOD START IN LIFE Is what the " Gilruth " Calf Food gives your calves. It is celebrated throughout the Dominion, and solves the problem, " How to raise calves successfully without whole milk." It replaces exactly the fats taken out by the separator. Obtainable from W.F.C.A., all branches. Send the documents of your importations to MESSRS J, J. CURTIS & CO., LTD., Customhouse Shipping and Forwarding Agents, Customhouse Quay, Wellington who will quickly clear, pass and forward the goods to you, Moderate charges, 2