FEDERAL CONVENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10413, 10 April 1897, Page 5

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Press Associatinn.-Electrie Teleßrapb.-Copyricht. Adfxaide, April 9. When the Convention met thia morning Sir John Forresb sprung a surprise by moving the suspension of the standing orders to enable him to move that the clauses dealing with finance and the powers of the two Houses with regard to money bills be taken first when the Bill goes into committee, ns the West Australian delegates intended to return on Wednesday, and wished to take part in the divisions on the questions named. Outside these they wore willing to leave the Bill to the judgment of the other colonies. Strong opposition was made to Sir J. Forrest's proposal, bub on a division he secured the suspension of the standing orders by twenty-six votes to fourteen. The small States voted solidly. One dolegate each from New South Wale 3 and Victoria aided with them. Mr. Higgins (Viotoria) speaking to the resolution thought the division was an object-lesson for those who upheld equal representation in the Senate. Sir Joseph Abbott twice endeavoured to upaet Sir J. Forrest's motion on points of order without success, After wasting tho whole morning Sir John Forresb withdrew his motion. The Drafting Committee, consisting of Mr. Barton, Sir John Downer, and Mr. O'Connor, hopo to have the Bill ready on Monday mnrnine. A petition was received from the Queensland Separation League in favour of the division of that) colony into three separate States. The Convention has adjourned till Monday. The Finance Committee gave special consideration to the railway question this afternoon. 16 was resolved that, subject to the consent of any State, the Federal Parliament shall have power to take over the control of the railways of a Stato or States on such terms ae shall be arrived at by mutual agreement; also, that there shall be established by tho Federal Parliament en interstate commission in order to deal effectively with railway mattera arising between States. It was also resolved that the inter-State Commission ehould have power to regulate the trade of rivers and tributaries flowing through two or more States.