THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Hastings Standard, Issue 279, 24 March 1897, Page 3

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

.. —« MR BARTON ELECTED LEADER (P< c P/'csv Association. —(Jo]>t/ri</ht.) Adelaide, March 23. After considerable discussion at the Federal Convention, Mr Barton was elected leader, and an adjournment was made to allow him to submit resolutions. This day. At the Federal Convention yesterday afternoon, Mr Barton intimated his intention to move for the appointment of three committees ot three members each, the Premiers of each colony to be ~jH, i<> members of each committee. The first committee to deal with the constitutional machinery, the second with finance, taxation, and trade regulation, and the third to deal with federal judicial. At the banquet last night Mr Reid stated that be had received a telegram from the Premier of Queensland announcing if the Convention adjourned for a reasonable time before finally disposing of the draft Bill the Queensland Government would agree to bring in a Bill early next session naming ten representatives for Queensland. Mr Barton's proposals yesterday were: That in order to enlarge the powers of self-government it is desirable to create a Federal Government, subject to the following princip.il conditions : that the powers, privileges, and territories to remain intact, except in respect to such surrenders as may be agreed upon to secure uniformity of law and administration ; that, after the establishment of the Federal Government there shall be no alteration in territorial possions or boundaries without the consent of those concerned ; that the Federal Government shall have exclusive power to impose and collect customs and excise duties, and control the military and naval defences; that tra.de between the federated colonies shall be absolutely free ; that they consist of two houses, namely, States Assembly or Senate and National Assembly, the former to consist of representatives of each colony, to hold office for such period and chosen in such manner as shall be decided upon, while the latter shall be elected by districts formed on a population basis, and to possess soli? power of originating all Bills, appropriating revenue, or imposing taxation ; that the GovernorGeneral to be appointed by the Queen ; and that a Supreme Federal Court be appointed, which shall also be a high court of appeal for each colony in the federation.