CABLE NEWS [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.]

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 148, 20 December 1900, Page 5

CABLE NEWS [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.]

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION. u-^ THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT. SIR WILLIAM LYNE ASKED TO FOBM A MINISTRY. [4'EJSSS ASSOCIATION.] SYDNEY, 19th December. Sir William Lyne, Premier of New South Wales, has been summoned to form the first Federal Ministry. Later. Sir W. Lyne's selection to form a Federal Ministry has created much surprise. Public opinion was muoh inclined to the belief that the Hon. Edmund Barton would be selected. Sir W. Lyne visited Government House- this evening, and Lord Hopetoun commissioned him to undertake the task. The PVemder has obtained till the end of the week to consider the matter. He , will place himself in communication with the other Premiers, ip order to ascertain hi* chances of forming a strong Administration. The Hon. G. H. Reid fad a long interview with the 'Governor - General on Tuesday night, when the Premiership was discussed. The ex-Premier has all along made no secret of his opinion that the Premier of the Mother Colony should be askcu to form the first Cabinet. Sir W Lyno has had an interview with Mr. Barton, but what took place is not known. The Citizens' Committee is gratified at the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon's allowing the New Zealand troops to remain over the Commonwealth celebrations. AUSTRALIAN BUNION ON LORD HOPETOUN'S SELECTION. * (Received December 20, 9.15 a.m. ) SYDNEY, This Day. The Daily Telegraph says that Lord Hopetoun's task "was to select the man with the best chance of forming ,a Federal Ministry, not to be a- reward for any party political W*vice or to gratify any provincial feeling, but to do simple justice to the Australian people. The Sydney Morning Herald says it would be idle to deny that the selection was a surprise. It has been assumed that 'Mr. Barton's Federal record and his being a persona gratdssima. in a}l the federating States would give himi a claim to be consulted. Lord Hopetoun may have felt that there- was safety as well aa propriety in offering the Premier of the parent colony the task of forming a Ministry. The Herald trusts that Sir W. Lvne will succeed in- his efforts, as a failure to do so would be most unfortunate at the present juncture andi embarrassing to Lord Hojuetoun. MELBOURNE, This : Day. Sir George Turner (Premier) ded'ine.d to say any thing with regard to Sir William Lyne'a oeing summoned to form a Ministry, beyond that he was somewhat surprised at the course taken. The Age says the unexpected has happened. The selection of the erstwhile mortal enemy of Federation is one of the singular developaneot? °f the tiita. As an administrator-, Sir W. Lyne has experience which Mr. Barton would have lacked. Lord Hopetoun's course will not be .widely disapproved. ADELAIDE, This Day. . The S,outh Australian JRegister saysthat tho constitutional logical advantage is on the side of Lord. Hopetoun's eolection. MR. REID ON THE CHOICE OF A PREMIER. (Received December 20, 9.15 a.m,) SYDNEY, This Day. Sir William Lyne asked Mr. Barton to join 'the Federal Administration, but the latter refused. The Hon. B. R. Wise, Attorney-Gene-ral, was amazed when he learned that Sir W. Lyne had been sent for. The Right Hon. G. H. Reid expresses decided approval of the course taken by Lord Hopetoun. It was the only course fairly open to him. "So far as Mr. Barton is concerned," said the ex-Premier, "if I "can 'accept the situation with per-, feet equanimity I* am sure Mr. Barton will 6e able to do the same. The real choice of Federal Premier will' come about when the Federal Parliament meets,. The choice of Sir William Lyne will conduce to a clear-cut ' issue upon fiscal issues. Mr. Barton's attitude, deliberately chosen, was that of a man tvithoat a policy. Such a man would be dangerous as the first Federal Premier." (Received December 20, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, -This Day. The Nsw Zealand residents in this city will present an address of welcome to Mr. Seddon on his arrival here to take part in the inauguration of the Commonwealth. The Indian Contingent for the Commonwealth celebrations will reach here tomorrow. MELBOURNE, pay. A Bill h,as been introduced into the Legislative Assembly to enable Victoria to contribute on a population -basis -to a fund for the increase ot the GovernorGeneral'a usiary irom £10,u00 to J820,0Q0. PU-NEDUSf, This Day. A private cable message from Sydney states thaf just as the New Zealand troops were ieaving barracks to embark on tb,e steamer 2ealan.dia for Auckland, the Defence Department cabled stopping their embarkation. The Premier jj^ consented to allow those membera of tho First Contingent who -were on board the Harlech Castle to remain in Sydney and .take part in the Common.wealth celebrations if they desire to do so. The following extract from a private letter reppived in Chriatchurch in reference to tho 'Commonwealth celebrations will be read with interest:— "You would no,t ,-be able to get a .window to view. The balconies arc letting for £40 each,, and balcony rooms fpr £6 por week. We are told thjvt pur single rooms will be worth '.£B per week without bodrd. 'Provisions are going up now, so we shall not gain mu.ph after «U." £he Commissions pf Police (Mr. J. B. Tunbridge) and Mrs. Ttntbridge Uave received an invitation for tlio Commonwealth ceremonies, but are unable to accepjj it.