FEDERAL CONVENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10410, 7 April 1897, Page 5

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Press Association,-Electric Toleenipb.-Copyrirht.

Adelaide, A| ril 8. Contrary to anticipations, the evening sitting did not deal with money bills. Amongst the powers given to the Federal Parliament is the control of all rivers running through the States, Communications from the States to the Quean are to be made through the States Governor instead of the Governor-General. Post and telegraphs are to be taken over provisionally by the Federal Government. The matter will be further dealt with by the Committee of Trade and Finance. It has transpired that a motion to make the honorarium £500 was lost by one vote. £400 was carried by two votes. It is just possible the Convention as a whole will revert to £500, The Finance Committee on Friday had practically arrived at what offered a solution of the difficulties, when Mr. Reid (Sydney), who is ex officio a member, upset the whole scheme by declaring chat a merely nominal revenue tariff should be the uniform tariff of Federated Australia. The Western Australian delegated objected to this entirely unless she obtained a subsidy by way of a large percentage of the surplus as compensation for giving up her tariff, This is the deadlock which the Committee is now endeavouring to bridge over. Mr. Reid's announcement seems to have thrown the Committee into a state of chaos.

Tho Constitution Committee omitted the provisions in the Commonwealth Bill prohibiting members of the Federal Parliament sitting in the State Legislatures, and preventing members of the State Parliament holding seats in the Federal Parliament. A clause permitting a State to cede territory for commonwealth purposes was retained, as was also the provision that the Commonwealth shall protect all States against invasion or domestic violence. The committee is now discussing the money bills.

The Constitutional Committee this afternoon made no progress of note with the olausos dealing with money bills, The Judiciary Committee drew up a report which will bo prosented to the Constitutional Committee. The Committee report having made satisfactory progress, except with the question of debts, whioli they expect to settle to-morrow.