COMMONWEALTH POLITICS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2358, 26 November 1908, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH POLITICS

THE LABOR GOVERNMENT POLICY.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER

United Press Association, Copyright (Received Nov". 25, 11.40 p.m.)

MELBOURNE, Nov. 25

Mr. A. Fisher, Commonwealth Premier. made a statement in the House to-day. /regarding the Government policy. Government, lie said, looked forward to not more than 14 more sitting days. There had not been time for Government to give attention to any large issue of policy. Customs returns would in all probability show an improvement of about £89,000. That arose largely through the decrease in the production of sugar. [Government hoped to give full effect to an old age pensions .scheme. ■ He eoukl not accept Sir Wiliam Lyne’s estimate of the amount required. His own ide*n was that the amount would lie about a million and a half. Government would see that sufficient funds were available. As to the new protection, the Ministry proposed to appeal to the people by a referendum, to give such powers to Parliament as would enable it to give protection to the worker as well as tlie manufacturer. /Government accepted tlie division given on the capital site question, and would introduce a. Bill to enable a suitable area to be chosen, and the Bill would be introduced tin’s session. The Iron Bonus Bill would be proceeded with, but sonic amendments would be introduced.