THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9834, 17 September 1897, Page 5

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

THE DEAD-LOCK QUESTION. Pre3s Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, September 16. The division on the dead-lock question will probably bs taken to-day. The proposal for a National JRoferendum is likely to be defeated by 2to 1; even a dual Heferendurn, which requires a majority of the States as well as a majority of the people, is strongly opposed. The idea which finds most acceptance, and is most likely to be adopted, is a double dissolution.

The Convention will probably adjourn early next week, but it is hardly likely that the Finance Committee can draft a report before the Convention closes. It is almost certain that the Convention will reassemble at Melbourne to give the final touches to the measure before submitting it to the people, and also to fully deal with the question of finance. Later. Mr Reid, in a lengthy and excellent speech, regarded the double dissolution as a concession to the small States, and, in return, insisted that they must concede the National referendum. Mr Isaacs, who has propounded a sob. erne of his own to deal with deadlocks, naturally argued for suoh a provision being made in the Bill, Hβ urged the claims of the double dissolution and, if necessary, an ultimate referendum. Mr Kingston suggested that when two-thirds of the House agreed that a question in dispute was a matter affecting State rights, then it should not be remitted to a referendum.

A test division was taken whether there should be a provision against the deadlocks question, and resulted in the affirmative by 30 to 15. What form the remedy shall take will be the subject of. a discussion to-morrow.