Evening Post. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1891. THE FEDERAL CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 55, 6 March 1891, Page 2

Evening Post. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1891. THE FEDERAL CONFERENCE.

■» Tbk Federation debate continues full of interest, and the speeohes are eminently praotioal and bußinoss-like. Mr. Playvord's is perhaps the best yet delivered, and the moat to the point. He replied to Sir S. Griffith, in the manner we suggested yesterday, as to what would have to be done pending tho decision of the Federal Parliament on the tariff question. He also dealt plainly with tho defenoe question, pointing oat tbat if defence was to be made a matter of Federal concern, the Federation would have to take over the State debts in. enrred for purposes of permanent protection. His fanny piotnre of two Houses discussing the tariff and the Estimates was more striking and effeotive than any amonnt of serious argument against the Senate being allowed co-equal powers on these points with the other Chamber. He opened up a new and important point in urging the total abrogation of the Royal veto on Federal legislation, and his suggestion as to the adoption of the Referendum in cue of deadlock between the Chambers waa a valuable one, as was also his proviso that each colony should be represented on the Executive. Here we know how strongly each of the main divisions of the colony insists on being represented in every Government. The necessity would be greater in an Australian Federation. Sir

Thomas M'ILWEiiTH aaanmea too mnch, we think, when he asserts that the Federal polioy wonld certaiDly be one of Protootion against the world, and Captain Russell, whose speech represents generally the nebnloua condition of mind which he pleaded guilty to in one respect, wai quiok to point out that it ui ; «ht not bft altogether profitable to Australia, even if federated, to bar ita ports too closely against New Zealand. Captain Russell's speech on other points is disappointing, and his objection*, founded on looal experience, to Responsible Government aro really very frivolous There ia moro Bubstance in his reminder that the Federation muf t try and attract to itself the adherence and trade of tbe fouth Sea Islands instead of allowing both to drift American- ward. Our representative ia quite right in urgicg the necessity for leaving easy means for colonies, by a gradnal proces3 of assimilation of laws and institutions, to ultimately enter tho Federation, and hia reference to the New Zealand coal measures as an element in Australasian naval defenca, wae well timed. 'Ihe speech of Mr. Deakin, of Victoria, was highly important, owing to tbe well known ability of the speaker and the large measure of attention he has given to the subject. He dealt wi'h it in a thoughtful, statesmanlike manner, and in a broader spirit than might have been expeotcd from a Victorian representative. He is_ evidently [ willing to surrender even Protection for the national good, but ho wisely urgca that the sacrifice should not be too Budden or the wrench too great. He pleads reasonably for vested int rests, and that tiny radical ohange in fiscal polioy Bhould be gradnal. Tho adoption of sunh a mode of prooecure would undoubtedly remove many difficulties. With regard to the relations bat ween the two Chambers, the delimitation of State rights, Federal taxation and expenditure, the Federal Judiciary and Reaponsible Governmant, Mr. Deakin spoke with weight, and hie remarks, evidently the reeult ot mature thought, deserve the utmoßt consideration.