COMMONWEALTH PROBLEMS

Evening Star, Issue 21656, 27 February 1934, Page 9

COMMONWEALTH PROBLEMS

DISSATISFIED STATES THE MELBOURNE DISCUSSIONS Prcsi Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, February 27. (Received February 27, at 11 a.m.) After discussions extending over more than a week, the question of the financial relations of the Commonwealth and the States was finally shelved by the conference on constitutional revision. The decision was that no useful purpose would be served at present by further discussion of tho States’ proposals. The Commonwealth and tho larger States, however, agreed that it is proper to make special provision for the smaller Stales, and whatever relief is finally decided upon in the light of grants, the commission’s report shall he placed on a more permanent basis than at present. A committee representing all the Governments will consider and report on the desirability of constitutional amendments affecting Excise and trade among the States and territories. Mr R. L. Butler (Premier of South Australia), commenting upon what he termed the failure of the Premiers’ Conference, said; “ The matter cannot be permitted to rest where it is. The fight for true federalism must be continued relentlessly. The signs of the disintegration of the Commonwealth, which five State Premiers have tried to check, will continue.”