THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.
THE BUSINESS PROCEEDINGS. (Per Press Association, —Qopijr'njht.) Syunky, Sept. 0. The committee, contrary to expectation, proceeded with the bill from the commencement, instead of taking it up at the State right clauses. The only amendment suggested in the short title was by New South Wales, for the substitution of the word "Dominion." The amendment was negatived. The time within which power is given to proclaim the Commonwealth was extended to a year instead of six months after passing. This afternoon the clauses dealing with the operation of the laws of the Commonwealth were amended so as to provide that the laws be in force on all British ships, except Her Majesty's ships, whose first port of clearance and whose port of destination are in the Commonwealth. It was sought to reduce the Gover-nor-General's salary to £'Booo, but by 38 to 8 it was decided to retain £IO,OOO. Clause 9 opened up a discussion on the question of equal representation and brought the Convention face to face with the real lion in the path of Federation. The discussion threw no new light on the question. Messrs Higgins and Carruthers contended for proportionate representation, whilst those representatives of the smaller states who spoke demanded equal rights in the Senate. The great advance in the Federal spirit about which a good deal has been said is likely to have a marked set back in the present discussion. THE QUESTION IN QUEENSLAND. ANOTHER DISCUSSION TO TAKE PLACE. Brisbane, This day. On the motion proposed in the Legislative Assembly asking the Federal Convention not to conclude till Queensland had an opportunity of being represented by a direct vote of the electors, an amendment that if the Convention granted the request desired the Government introduce an enabling Bill this session was carried, but an anti-Federal member succeeded in talking the original motion out. The Government, however, will give a day next week to enable a decision to be come to. The trend of the debate was favorable to being represented, Sir Horace Tozer approving of sending a message to the convention hoping it would treat byegoues as byegones.
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Bibliographic details
Hastings Standard, Issue 422, 10 September 1897, Page 3
Word Count
355THE FEDERAL CONVENTION. Hastings Standard, Issue 422, 10 September 1897, Page 3
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