AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 65, 17 March 1900, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

EECEPTION OF THE DELEGATES IN ENGLAND.

LONDON, March IG.

Mr Chamberlain, Lord Selborne (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), Sir Richard Webster (AttorneyGeneral), Sir E. B. Findlay (SolicitorGeneral), Sir Robert Herbert, and Lord Ampthill (Mr Chamberlain's private secretary), received the Federal Delegation. Mr Chamberlain extended a welcome in a felicitous speech. He had the spirit of the deepest goodwill towards the colonies, and would accelerate their wishes to the utmost. He indicated the legal and constitutional questions, and the points of construction requiring consultation. He offered the use of a room at the Colonial Office.

Mr Barton happily responded. He said the whole attitude of the colonies indicated their desire to uphold Imperial interests, and to avoid contention. He dwelt upon the moral effect that would be produced in Australia if the Commonwealth Bill, which was so strongly backed locally, was approved unaltered. It is probable that the early stages of the measure will be taken, before Easter.

The ci-iticisms of the law officers, though important, are believed to be capable of explanation, and modification to a degree, rendering them innocuous. They largely relate to interpretation, and are possibly confined to the iatroductory clauises, leaving the Australian Constitution intact.

The delegates are overpowered by the hospitality extended them.