FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8921, 13 March 1891, Page 2

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

IPKB PRKSS ASSOCIATION.— COPYRIGHT.

(Received March 12, 2.55 p:in.)

Sydney Thursday. Mr W. M'Millan (New Sonth Wales]! resumed the dobato this morning. He said that they haft not to discuss the differences existing between the colonies. From the debate as far as it had gone id appeared to him that many members camo to the Convention with a certain amount of suspicion of each other. He did not consider that there was any analogy between America's earlier constitution and the present position of matters in Australia. The Australian colonies were differently situated ' altogether. He would be the last to attempt to alter the boundaries of any colonies without the consont of the people. He dented that there would be any attempt to set up an aggressive military iorce. Western Australia, by reason of her immense coast ■ line, would Gud it an, enormous advantage to have the benefit of federal defence. Ho believed in a system of irrigation in the central part of Australia, which must be the work of the Federal Parliament. Coming to the question of Freetrade between the colonies, Mr M'Millan eaid that it was absolutely impossible in the imtnro of things to have intercolonial Freetrade without a uniform tariff. He 'tuote'i figures to show the amounts paid and received through intercolonial intercourse. In that respect, he said, New Zealand and Victoria were the greatest gourmands. He felt convinced that some time must elapse before the new tariff could come into operation. In the meantime, in order to educate people's miuda to the change, the Federal Parliament should decide upon a tariff union. He believed that under the present form of government the several colonies would never be able to convert their loans under 3J per cent, but if they were federated they would be able to borrow at 3 per cent. He had prepared figures toabow the cost of the Central Government, from which he found that the total Customs revenue which it was proposed to hand over lo the Federal Government would amount to £8,344,000, while the federal expenditure would come to £2,240,000, equal to twelve shillings per head lor all the advantages of a Central Government. The latter wonld thus be ablo to return to the different colonies £8,104,000. Under Federated Australia they would save by the conversion of their loans to 3 percent the whole amount of the £2,240,000 required by the Central Government, The fortifications should be taken over at a fair valuation. He did not think the Senate should merely act as a protector of State rights. The initiation of money bills should rest with the Lower House. In other tespects tho Senate should have equal powers with the Lower House. He did not agree with the proposal to' have an elective Governor-General. The "Blue Ribbon" of .Federated Australia should bo the position of Prime Minister. The Government must be responsible to the people, and they should have a representative of the Executive in the Senate. Mr M'Millan pointed to the great progress that had beon made in means of communication between the varjous colonies, and expressed his belief that a railway to Western Australia should be one of the first works undertaken by the Federal Government. (Rcoo)ved M&roh 12, 1.30 a.m.*

Mr J. A. Hackett (Western Australia) expressed the opinion that the question of Customs and of the location of the capital and such matters were not "lions in the path," They were merely red herrings drawn across the path, and when the time came they would all be easily disposed of. Tho crucial question was what powers were to be given to the Federal Government. He looked upon the Canadian system as being quite out of court, and he thought that tlis fact that it had, stood no strain at the late elections proved tbe correctness of liis contention. He hoped they would not reproduce such a system in these colonies. ' They must Jiave a strong capable Senqte, }f it \yfta proposed to graft responsible government on, the federal constitution, which bad been a distinct faiUun in Canada, and elsewhere. They had ope of two alternatives— either re-

sponsible government would kill Federation or Federation would kill responsible government. If fair terms were offered to Western Australia all its difndenbe

would vanish, and there would be no more loyal Stato than that colony. Mr W. Moore (Tasmania) advocated a uniform tariff, and thought the Senate should be given power to veto details. He agreed with the defence soheme, but he thought the navy should remain on its present footing, as the cost of establishing a federal navy would be very heavy. No doubt Protection would be the policy of Australasia.

(Rooolved March 12, T.SO v.m.\ Mr Cuthbert (Victoria) hold' to the opinion that Vrectrade between the colonies must be established, with Pro- \ teotlon against the world. It was their duty by means of Federation to sweep away the barkers betweeu the colonies. If that were not dqrje the time might come when the colonies would be powers \n themselves, and in the event of a serious dispute oivil war might ensue. It was their duty to avert such a disaster,. He highly approved the defence proposals. He admitted thai the right of ' originating money Dills should lie with the House, bat he was disposed to confer the right of veto in details on the Senatq. He argued that the State Courts shbnld not be interfered with, Of course it would be necealary to have a Federal Court, but he was not in favor of abolishing the right of appeal to the Privy Council. Mr A. {Aouglas (Tasmania) argued that the Senate must be invested with power to deal with finance. He trusted that

th.c Governor-General wquld be appointed by (he Queen, and the LieutonantUovernor in the same way as far as possible, Mr J. P. Abbott (New South Wales), although himself a Protectionist, claimed that New South Wales could become Protective only through Federation. Victoria had bmlt up her industries at the expense of her neighbors. With Federation, and despite her 28 years' start, New South Wales would successfully light her in her own markets, and would not require any guarantee. It wonld be impossible for the colonies to agree on a fiscal policy until it was settled by the Federal Parliament. Thpy cga'd not have any greater liberty t^ th«y enjoyed..

now, even under the best form of tb- J ...fil publican government. He denied that ;? /^/l there -was any danger from a "'Standing v • >^- army, where the people werethemastera;.;.- -. •^ of the political situation. If a military ;■ ; ' | spirit was crowing it was tho spirit qt .-...-". ., : h ■volunteering. He woulfclike to see the - ••-: main trunk railway under the Federal -£•:<> i Government, while the branches remauiett • ; '; ; under the control- of their several States. ; t *;. ' He would give the States equal repre-, : :: aentation and equal power, over "money i (Received Maroh 13, 9,30 p.u>.. . Mr W. H. Button (New South Fales) followed Mr Abbott, bub opened up mi new ground.' Generally speaking ho agreed with.Jiho resolutions. - Mr J. Uontldson (Queensland) thought . the different Parliaments most control their own lands, because it would be . impossible to legislate to suits the re- - quireraenta of the people oHhe, vartons . colonies. He was not prepared to soy thab it would be wise of the several States to retain control of their \iown railways, because many colonies : . imposed differential rates in order to obtain the trade of the neighboring :. colonies. He thonght the Federal ParUa- , menb should fix the railway rates. He desired the largest powers . for the Senate. 1 borne concessions mnst' be given to tha > smaller colonies whioh had not had time to , develop their industries, as against those colonies whioh had developed their industries, and wets ready to compete, against the small colonies. The loss, of duties by . * intercolonial Freetrade must be taken 3 into consideration and provided ro^. .- He favored the appointment of a" committee ' to inquire into those difficult, questions .- and place definite information before the Conference. ■ •'"■'■■ ' : " ' ! y'''--7 This speech concluded-,the debate, ana . c Sir Henry Parkes intimated that he D would treat the debate like thafr on a second reading, and reply to-morrow. He would then move that the Convention should go into committee to consider the resolutions in detail. '"■ :