THE FEDERAL CONTENTION.

Evening Star, Issue 8484, 8 April 1891, Page 4

THE FEDERAL CONTENTION.

At yesterday afternoon’s sitting, On the clause referring to the power to levy duties on Customs and excise and offer bounties being considered, Mr Deakin thought they should devise some expedient, if such were possible, to mitigate the industrial shock which would occur when a uniform tariff comes into operation.

The clause was passed without alteration, although Mr Dibbs endeavored to cause the insertion of a section making the Victorian tariff the tariff of the commonwealth until the Federal Parliament otherwise ordered it. The clause providing for freetrade between the colonies was carried without discussion. A long debate took place on the clause relating to the apportionment of the surplus revenue. Sir T. M'llwraith proposed that the colonies should be charged on a population basis, and that, after deducting the expenses of the Federal Government, the surplus should be handed back in proportion to the amount contributed, and not on a general average of the whole of Australia. Captain Russell deprecated the narrow lines the discussion was following. Since coming to Sydney members must confess their views had undergone material alteration, and the views of colonies they represented would therefore require to undergo a similar alteration before they can accept federation, He considered that before coming to a conclusion the Convention ought to adjourn for six months, and meantime that the Bill be submitted to the various colonies, by which means he believed the questions which the majority of colonies were now unable to accept would be settled on a basis of compromise.

Sir T. M'llwraith’s amendment was carried by 21 to 16. Sir J. C. Bray moved that the Federal Parliament determine the mode of distributing the surplus. This was carried, and the olanse passed. The clauses relating to equality of trade were passed. _ When the clause referring to the consolidation of the public debts of the States came up for consideration, Sir J. 0. Bray moved a new clause—- “ Xhat tbe opmiponwealth be liable for the public debts of eaph State existing at the ittmeiof this Act coming into operation, and

that eaoh State be liable to the commonwealth lor the amount (if any) by which the public debt owing by the State shall exceed the amount of per head of the population of such State.”

...Mr M'Millan strongly condemned the motion, which, if carried, would domore than anything to shatter the fabric they were attempting to erect. After a lengthy discussion the motion was negatived on the voices and the clause passed. Chapter 6, the States. “ The clauses relating to the powers of Parliaments, validity and inconsistency of the existing laws, and powers of Governors of the respective colonies, were passed. A brisk discussion ensued on the question of the Governor-General being the sole channel of communication with the Queen; but it was interrupted by a motion to report progress, and the Convention adjourned-