AUSTRALIAN UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9735, 4 February 1895, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN UNION.

THE FEDERAL COUNCIL

EXPECTED WITHDRAWAL OP VICTORIA.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.— Copyright;

Hobart, February 2. The Federal Council concluded its labours late last night. One of tho last motions was in opposition to a motion carried at the previous Conference, that the Commonwealth Bill of 1891 should be considered at the earnest possible moment by the several Parliaments. The Victorian delegates spoke strongly against the latter motion, which may bo taken as an indication that Victoria will go hand in hand with New South Wales, and possibly drop out of the Federal Council, which would then . comprise only Tasmania and Western Australia.

The Federal Council adopted motions favouring the appointment of an Australian Judge on the Privy Council, the early consideration of the Commonwealth Bill by the various Parliaments, and ttie summoning of a second convention.

Messrs. Deakin and Turner, of Victoria, considered the last motion unnecessary in view of the decision arrived at by the Premiers' Conference, and suggested its withdrawal. The motion, however, on being pub was carried, the Victorian delegates withdrawing. Hobart was fixed on as the place for the next meeting of the Federal Council. Sydney, February 3. In the course of an interview with a representative of a local newspaper, Sir Henry Parkes said that the Federal Council, though unfortunately constructed, was a tangible reality, while the Conference of Premiers was mere vapour, and very foul vapour at that. He thought ib certain that no Australian Par liamenb would ratify what it proposed. He thought, if placed in capable hands, the Federation of the Australasian colonies would be easily effected.

COMMENTS OF THE PRESS. Sydney, February 2. The Daily Telegraph says the Conference of Premiers must be complimented on its plain recognition of the fact that Federation in any other than a wide democratic basis is foredoomed. The previous Convention was chiefly remarkable tor the splendid mistake it made in ignoring the people, and the democracy of the colonies repudiated it with all its works, thus causing Federation to sustain a disastrous check. Fortunately the Premiers assemoled at the Conference this week were quite alive to this danger, and decided that the lines of the last Convention must be abandoned with the view of broadening the basis of the movement to one of complete and absolute democracy. The most hopeful augury thab something practical will result from the Conference is in the suggestion that each colony shall elect a Convention of its own, sufficiently large to allow every shade of popular opinion to be olearly reflected ; then these conventions shall elect from themselves a body with authority to prepare a constitution, for the people finally to accept or reject by the referendum vote.

London, February 1. The Daily Chronicle congratulates the Hobart Conference of Premiers on ibs intelgence and patriotism in overcoming the difficulty respecting the scheme for Federation. London, February 2.

Despite the jealousy with regard to the Conference of Premiers, the Times considers it has proved sound, and that Australian opinion favours a practicable scheme of federation. In delegating Continental powers to the central Government and reserving full provincial powers to the provincial Governments, it assumes that the attitude of the Premiers has guaranteed an early passage of an Enabling Bill by the respective legislatures authorising extra parliamentary action.

A FRENCH VIEW.

Paius, February 2. Le Temps, referring to the Hobarb Conference, alleges that the outlines of the United States of Australia is already discernible, which would be an immense success for Imperialism and an undivided Empire.