THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Hastings Standard, Issue 427, 16 September 1897, Page 3

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

(/ V/ - I 'res,i A asm-ia tio n.—Copijr it/h I.) Sydney, Sept. 15. The debate in the Convention the whole of the afternoon and evening practically resolved itself into a problem of whether there should be provision for deadlocks, or none at all. The idea of the referendum was in some quarters regarded as not English, and would make equal representation to the smaller States nothing but a delusion. Sir John Forrest expressed the opinion that if the larger States feared coercion by the smaller ones then New Soutii Wales and Victoria had better fed era te them selves. Several of the South Australian delegates felt that the establishment of the referendum would be giving the rights of the small States away.

The Hon. E. Barton did not thinkthere was any absolute necessity for making artificial provisions against deadlocks. There was suflicicnt safeguards in the constitution, which provided with perfect clearness that any bill dealing with money could be originated in the lower House.

Sir George Turner declared against the referendum, and advocated a double dissolution. If this was found ineffective then the referendum might be resorted to. This day. The elivision em the deadlock question will probably be taken to-day. The proposal for a national referendum is likely to be defeated by two to one. Even a dual referendum, which requires a majority of the states as well as a majority of the people, is strongly opposed. The idea which finds most acceptance and is most likely to be adopted is double dissolution. The Convention will probably adjourn early next week. It is hardly likely that the Finance Committee will draft tlieir report before the Convention closes. It is almost certain that the Convention will reassemble in Melbourne to give the final touches to the measure before submitting it to the people, also to fully deal with the question of finance.