THE FEDERAL CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 85, 12 April 1899, Page 2

THE FEDERAL CRISIS.

SYDNEY, April 11.

The Lieutenant-Governor opened Parliament at noon. The House was Crowded. The speech said Parliament • was called together to deal with a ; special matter of £reat urgency and importance. The' Government considered they were under the strongest '■ possible obligation to urge upon Par- ' liament the propriety of providing for i a free untrammelled vote of the > whole body of electors on the momentous question of federal union in harmony and maintenance of good faith with other colonies whose Governments conceded the leadership of federal movement to New ' South Wales. The Government will immediately , re-submit the Convention Bill adopted . by the Premiers' conference. SYDNEY, this day. The Opposition caucus decided 1o take no action against the Govern--1 mcnt. A section of the party wished to attack them on their general policy, but the ardent Federalists in the party prevented * such a course being adopted. When the question of appointing a committee to draft the Address-in-Reply came up, the anti-Federalists in the Assembly commenced obstructive tactics, seeking to have the committee appointed by ballot. A thick crop of points of order has wasted the time of the House so far. '; In the Legislative Council the new members were sworn in, and the debate on the Address-in'-Reply is proceeding. The Legislative Assembly eventually disposed of the motion for a ballot, and is now debating an amendment, moved by an anti-Federalist, regretting the absence in the speech of any reference to pressing domestic legislation. • ; . • SYDNEY, this day. The Legislative Council adopted the. address .in reply. The tone of the speeches of the opponents on the Federal Bill indicated that they intend to firmly maintain their position in the Legislative Assembly. The debate on the amount, which the labour party is expected to support, has adjourned. MELBOURNE, this day. The 'Age' says Mr Reid's policy shows that he is ready to wound but is yet afraid to strike, and that if the present delay leads to further postponement, federation will be due to the selfish tactics of the local party in New South Wales *and the bungling of Mr Retid, who either does not know i his own mind or has over estimated j his power of bounce.