COMMONWEALTH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2537, 25 June 1909, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH POLITICS.

CABLE NEWS.

THE FERERAL CAPITAL SITE. THE EXACT SITE TO BE FIXED. ► United Press Association—Copyright MELBOURNE, June 24. The report of the Federal Capital Site Advisory Board has been tabled in Parliament. The whole proposed area of 648,587 acres is described as suitable for building purposes; tho water supply is good and plentiful, and tho Board considers that a practical railway route can be found between the capital and the suggested Jervois Bay outlet. The Government introduces a Bill at an early date to fix the exact si to of the capital. In the House of Representatives Sir William Lyne gave notice of a motion in favor of a Bill to remove the Customs tariff anomalies. The Government anticipates having a majority of about 10 on Mr Fisher’s no confidence motion. Mr Deakin, . Federal Premier, has cabled the Commonwealth’s congratulations to the South African National Convention on its decision ,in favor of union. The Federal Government has decided to take action regarding the alleged coal and confectionery combines. THE WANT-OF-CONFIDENCE MOTION. MR. FISHER’S ATTACK ON THE GOVERNMENT. United Press Association—Copyright (Received June 24, 11.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE, June 24. The Federal Government proposes to submit to Parliament a scheme of insurance against unemployment. Mr. Fisher moved —“That the Government does not possess the confidence of the House.” He said that the Ministerial party was a combination that could hot be justified on the grounds of public policy. Many members were afraid of losing seats if they went to the electors. It was a grave reflection on the present Prime Minister and tho other leading men on the Government benches that they should form an -unholy combination, not to protect the interests of the public, but to protect their own particular seats. Tho Government, by its action over the Dreadnought, had taken tho minds of young Australians from their own defence. The reply of the Imperial authorities to the. Australians’ offer had not been nearly go enthusiastic as Mr. Deakin tried to make out. He (Mr. Fisher) would be quite willing to render all possible assistance to Britain if it became necessarr. Loyalty that had to be buttressed with gifts was not loyalty •at all. The Government proposed to give two millions away at a time when it had not suffi.cient money to properly arm the militia, or send the cade*s to camp. The Government was in no way representative. of the feeling of the majority of tho electors. He ToTt it to bo his duty to take the earliest opportunity, and as many others as would be available to him, to compel the Government to submit itself to the electors. There wore indications in all the proposals of the Government to go to the Mother Country for this, that and the other thing. Let them give Australians their opportunity, and Australia would take its place among the • nations -of ‘the earth. MR. DEAKIN’S REPLY. A DEFENCE OF THE DREADNOUGHT OFFER. (Received June 24, 11.50 p.m.) Mr. Deakin, in his reply, contended that the offer of a Dreadnought had been tendered as a pledge of loyalty, and not for display. The offer might cover anything else- that would be an equivalent. The- Government were anxious that the offer should go unsullied by any meaner motive. Mr. Haldano, in liis speech, had stated that a great crisis existed, and that it was imperative to .deal with it. HOll members: Lord Charles Beresford said that Australia’s gift could best be utilised in Australian waters. Mr. Deakin said tliat if that view was accepted by the Admiralty it could bo given effect to. The matter could be discussed at the Defence. Conference.