FEDERAL CONVENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10411, 8 April 1897, Page 5

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

WORK OP THE COMMITTEES.

Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.-CopYtif atAdelaide, April 7. At the evening sitting, last night, the Constitution Committee granted the States Assembly power to amend taxation bills, bub not in such a way us to increase the publio burden. A large number, chiefly machinery, of clauses of the Commonwealth Bill were accepted without amendment. The Committee has now dealt with 64 out of 106 clauses in the Sydney Bill. Of the remainder 24 belong to the Finance and Judiciary Committees. The Judiciary Committee's report is printed. It provides, in addition to matters already mentioned, that Parliament shall define the jurisdiction of Federal Courts other than the High Court, and prescribe whether the jurisdiction of such Federal Courts shall be exclusive of or concurrent with that which may belong to Courts of the States, also to invest the Courts of States with Federal jurisdiction within such limit or in respect of such matters as they may think fit.

The difficulty of the Finance Committee over the payment of interest on debts arises from the fact that Mr. Reid strongly opposes the handing over of debts, while Sir George Turner as strenuously favours it.

The West Australian delegates are endeavouring to push forward the work of the various committees, but others are disinclined to be hurried, in fact, the debate at times savours of stonewalling. There is an impression abroad that the West Australian delegates are difficult to deal with, and that the object of so much talk is to drive them home before important work comes on, thus leaving the larger States in a majority ; indeed, the small Slates seem to be making great trouble This is evidently so pronounced that Mr. Kingston is alleged to have made » strong speech before the Constitutional Committee, in the course of which he said, speaking personally, that if the small States persisted in their line of conduct, and would not sacrifice something, they would destroy all chance of federation. This, coming from a representative of the small States, shows that Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania may exercise their equal representation to the extonb of destroying the prospect of agreement. Later. The Constitutional Committee has reduced the term during which the Queen may disallow a measure assented to by the Governor-General from two to one yearThis alteration is the only ope made in the Commonwealth clauses dealing with tho Royal assent. The Commonwealth clauses relating to the appointment of civil servants, authority of the executive, command of the military and naval forces, and giving immediate control of customs, oxcise, posts, telegraphs, military and naval defence, ocean beacons, buoys, lighthouses, light ships, quarantine, were accepted without amendment. The bulk of the clauses defining the powers of the States were also accepted from the Commonwealth Bill without alteration.

The Constitutional Committee have accepted the whole of the Commonwealth clauses relating to tho Executive, the only amendment being the reduction of the salaries of Ministers from £1500 to £1200. Sections defining the powers and duties of States, and the admission of new States, and miscellaneous matters are taken from the Sydney Bill without) alteration. Several clauses will be re-considered in different parts of tho measure to-morrow. Then the clauses dealing with the amendment of the Constitution will be considered. This will complete the labours of the Committee.

The Finance Committee sat all day without being able to give the press any information beyond the fact that thoy had prepared a series of resolutions covering their discussion, which will come before the Committee for revision to-morrow. From what can be picked up unofficially the Tasmanian scheme for the consolidation of loans was "knocked on the head." Mr, Reid objects to taking over the debts, because he foresees that this would necessitate the imposition of a heavy tariff to meet the interest. This view seems to be finding favour with the larger States, while the Tasmanian (delegates declare they will not be a party to the taking over of the Customs if the debts are not taken over. Mr. Raid's idea is that the Federal power should collect as little revenue as possible, Tho question of providing a scheme for the distribution of the surplus is alleged to be us nebulous as ever. The Chairman of the Committee is still in an optimistic frame of mind, and thinks to-morrow will see the conclusion of their labours,

After the adjournment on Friday, the members of the Convention visit Broken Hill, returning on Monday morning.