FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 210, 10 September 1897, Page 5

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

SYDNEY, September 9

The Federal Convention Committee, contrary to expectation, proceeded with the Hill, from the eomiiK.nc<._-iiii-iit, instead of taking up the State Right clauses only. An amendment, suggested in the short title by New South Wales tor i In* substitution of the word "dominion" was negatived. The time within which power is given to proclaim a commonwealth was extended to one year, instead of six months, after passing.

Sir George Turner's speech was the one discordant note in yesterday's debale. Sir George Turin.'!- would like to see New South Wales adopt a protectionist tariff before federation is consummated, lie seems to be afraid New South Wales importers will import larg" quantities of goods and afterwards distribute them throughout the colony when intercolonial free trad,; came in. He overlooked the fact that importers of other colonies could similarly import anil store goods in Sydney until federation was brought about." One of the Adelaide delegates characterised his speech as placing in the hands of the enemies of federation every possible argumeiiithat could be adduced by the worst wrecker of federation. This afternoon the clause dealing with the operation of the laws of the Commonwealth was amended so as to provide that the laws be in force on board all British ships' except Her Majesty's ships whose lirsf port of clearance and whose port of destination are in the Commonwealth. It was sought to reduce the GovernorGenera l's salary to .US.OOO. but by '.'.£ lo X if was decided to retain .1 10,000. Clause _) opened up the discussion on the question of equal representation, and brought tin* Convention fact* to face with the real lion in the path of federation. The discussion threw no new light, on the question. BRISBANE, this day. A motion was proposed in the Legislative Assembly asking the Federal Conference not to conclude till Queensland had an opportunity of be ing represented by direct vote of the electors. _\n amendment that the Government introduce an Enabling Bill this session was carried, but anti-federal members sueeeded in talking the original motion out. The Government, however, will give one day next week to enable a decision to be come to. The trend of the debate was favourable to Queensland being represented. Mr Tozer approved of sending a message to the Convention, hoping that it would treat byegones as byegones.