THE FEDERATION CONVENTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 82, 8 April 1891, Page 5

THE FEDERATION CONVENTION.

CONSTITUTION BILL TN COM MITTEE.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.] [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH— COI'YMGUTj Sydney, April 7. On the clauso referring to power to levy duties, customs, arid excise and oiler bounties, Mr Deakin thought they should dovise some expedient, if such wero possible, to operate against tho industrial shock which must occur when tho uniform tariff come 3 into operation. The clause was passed without alteration, although Air Dibbs endeavoured to cause tho insertion of a section making the Victorian tariff the tar ill of the Commonwealth until the Fedoral Parliament otherwise ordered it. The clauso providing for freo trado between the colonies was carried without diecussion. A long debate took place on tho clause relating to the apportionment of surplus revenue. Sir Thomas Mcllwraith proposed that the colonies should bo charged on the population basis, and that alter deducting the expenses of the Fodoral Government the surplus should bo handed back in proportion to tho amount contributed, and not on tho general average of the wholo of Australia. A large part of tho afternoon was occupied in debuting the amendment. Captain Russell deprecated the narrow lines the discussion was following. Since coming here members had had to confess that their viows had undergone materia) alteration, and tho views of the colonies they represented would therefore require to undergo a similar alteration before they could accept federation. He considered that before coming to a conclusion the Convention ought to adjourn for six months, und in the meantime the Bill should be submitted to the various colotiies, by which means he believed tho questions which tho majority ot tho colonies wero now unable to accept would be settled on the basis of a compromise. Sir Thot. Mcllwraith - s 'amendment was carried by 21 to 16. Sir J. C. Bray moved that the Federal Parliament determine the modo of distributing tho surplus. This was carried, and the clauso passed. The clauses relating to equality of trade were passed. Whon the clause referring to the consolidation of the public debts of the States came up for consideration, Sir J. C. Bray moved a now clause, " That the Commonwealth be liable for the public debts of each State existing at the timo of this Act coming into operation, and that each State be liable to tho Commonwealth for tho amount, if any, by which the public dobt owing by the State shall exceed the amount of „ per head of tho population of such State." Air AlcAlillan strongly condemned the motion, which, if carried, would do more than shatter the fabric they were attempting to erect After a lengthy discussion bhe motion was negatived on the voices, and the clause passed. Chapter 5, Tho States. Tho clauses relating to the powers of the Parliaments, validity and inconsistency of existing laws, powers of Governors of respective colonies, were passod. A brisk discussion ensued on the question of bhe Governor-General being the sole channel of communication with the Queen, but it was interrupted by a motion to reporb progress, and tho Convention adjourned till ''i-morrow.