FEDERAL CONVENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10409, 6 April 1897, Page 5

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Pre.u AMOciation.—Electric Tele^mph.-CoDvrirtt. Adelaidb, April 5. Tib Constitutional Committeo of the Federal Convention has fixed the honorarium at £400 per aanum. The judiciary committee has practically completed its labours, It is understood that only a few verbal alterations have been made in the Bill of 1891, but nothing officially is allowed to transpire. Rumours are current of a serious deadlock in the Finance Cominittee.

Later. The Finance Committee eat all day. From official statement communicated to the press tho Committee is apparently no further forward than when ib started. Tho chairman has hopes that to-morrow will see something decided with regard to the distribution of the surplus and the question of debts.

The railway commissioners of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia will

probably be examined to-morrow, but nothing will be done in regard to the railways until tho debts and surplus questions have been decided. From the chairman's remarks one gathers that hie hopes for a settlement to-morrow are based on the assumption that the difficulties which beset to-day's discussion will nob again crop up. Ib is believed that the rival schemes of the various financiers have had much to do with the rumoured deadlock. Unless the Financial Committeo arrives ab a settlement quickly, there is littlo chance of finishing before Easter. The Constitutional Committee devoted to-day to the consideration of the powers to be given to the Federal Parliament. With a few alterations, ib practically adopted the powers in the Commonwealth Bill. The most important alterations was making provision for legislation dealing with foreign companies trading in any State. The next subject which will be taken to-night is likely to keep the committee engaged for some time, immely, money bills. This committee will probably finish its labours on Wednesday.