FEDERATION.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9021, 6 February 1895, Page 5

FEDERATION.

CABLE NEWS.

SIR H. PARKES , OPINION. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, February 5. Sir H.. Parkes says he does not think the proposal of the Premiers , Conference for a convention serious. He considers it is preposterous to talk about a mob of people making a Constitution for a State. It is remarkable that only three Premiers were able to agree on the question, and the three who did agree are distinguished for bidding low for support and declining to take instruction from wiser men than themselves. They are three wandering lawyers who have met to make a constitution for all Australia in disparagement of the Convention of statesmen elected for that purpose from all the Parliaments of Australia. The Hon. Mr Reid, the Premier of New South Wales, had proved himself utterly incapable of understanding the functions which he has undertaken charge of, and is utterly unworthy of support. Sir H. Parkes does not want to return to office himself, but he believes he could bring the colonies into a substantial and permanent union, and that in a short time. Hβis in favour ($ -one straight broad course, completing the work of the Convention of 1891.

Most members of - the late Dibbs* Ministry strongly condemn the Premiers' Conference as uiiauthorised and the scheme proposed as crude and ineffective and calculated to wreck federation.