The Federal Parliament.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 113, 10 October 1901, Page 4

The Federal Parliament.

Melbourne, October 8. The Federal Franchise Bill provides for the suffrage for women. Mr Barton hopes to bring the first session of the Federal Parliament to a close by Christmas. The Budget Speech was made to a . crowded House and galleries in the Hour* of Representatives. The Treasurer was received cheers. He thanked the committee kindly for their reception, and said that be never felt so muck difficulty, certainly never in the delivery of a State Budget, the reason being the confusion of six different modes of keeping accounts in the States, and the difficulty of getting precise information from other States on the questions inquired into. They had to keep down: the expenditure so as not to denude the States too much, and as he sympathised entirely with the State Treasury this would be done as far as possible. At the same time the States had in some cases proposed a heavy expenditure. They have had heavy demands made on them for improved services. Complaints bad. been made as -to the delay in bringing down the Budget, hut these were without foundation, considering the severe work which had to be done. Ha explained that the expenditure which he required for defence was £160,000, for Parliamentary elections £59,000-. Ha estimated that the Customs and Excise revenue would yield £2 7s 9d per head in New (South Wales and £2 3s 6£d in Victoria. The expenditure in the Department of Post mas ter-General was estimated at £2,300,000. He expressed the opinion that there would be a necessity for reviewing the defence expenditure, which was mounting up. He announced his intention of arranging, where possible, that the cost of buildings might be charged to loans. He intended that other works should Come from revenue instead of loans, but much of the defence expenditure, such as large works, telegraphs and telephone expenditure, to provide for going into the market for £1,000,009. The absence of figures was owing to confusion arising from the fusion of the six systems, and left the Treasurer in the position of saying “ liy figures cannot be given.” fie left Sir Q. •Kingston to explain the tariff, saying aS a consequence of the enlarged expenditure they must expect heavier duties ill some directions.

The Minister of Customs followed in & long speech, which contained little information to his hearers. He refused to ' produce the tariff which contained the expected figures till sitting down.

Alter a criticism of some length by Mr Eeid, the debate was adjourned.

The tariff proposed in many items i& Tower than the Victorian tariff, but is loudly complained of by the New South Wales members. The tariff includes the following:—Bacon and hams, 3d lb; grain and pulse, N.E.1., per cental, le 6d ; doy prepared or manuaactured, Id per lb f bran, pollard and sharps, Is per cental, not enumerated 2a 6d.