FEDERAL CONVENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10416, 14 April 1897, Page 5

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Presi Associatioil.-Electrlc Xeleetnpll.—Copyrigiit. . Adelaide, April 13. This greator portion of the morning was occupied with tho wording of the money clauses. After the Committee by 21 to 21 had decided to substitute "Senate" for the more awkward " States Assembly" the Battle of the States commenced. Mr. Reid strongly opposed the Senate having equal power in matters of finance. With a Semite constituted as proposed such a system of equal power would be fraught with disaster. The Lower House must be master of finance. Sir Geo. Turner supported Mr. Reid. He had, he said, raised the crux of the whole question. He believed the committee had made a mistake in conceding equal representation, and he dared nob go back to Victoria to submib such a proposal to the people. He urged tho small States to assist by not giving the Senate equal power ovor money bills. If they wore nofc prepared to accept what was called the 1891 compromise then federation was an impossibility. Sir John Downer thought they only asked for what were their legitimate rights. The small colonies had gone far enough, and he would not personally be prepared to make any further concessions to the large States. A member (ironically): How far have you gone ? Sir John Downer replied they had gone further than the small States in America and Switzerland, Mr. Wise (Sydney) said that although it was incomprehensible to him there was undoubtedly a strongly ingrained popular prejudice amongst the people of Victoria against a second chamber, no matter how constituted, having power to deal with money bills. The feara expressed by oithet side were groundless. The smaller States had absolute safety against excessive oppression by absenting themselves from the Senate, which would require a third of tho senators present to carry a measure. Mr. Kingston (Adelaide) thought if that were so they might as well remain and outvote tho others. He intended, oven at the risk of separating himself from his colleagues, to support Mr. Reid. He believed they should stick closely to the 1891 compromise. He was not prepared to imperil federation by attempting to destroy a compromise which would result in federation. Sir John JiWesb said he would advocate equal powers just as he had done in 1891. He did not accept the compromise arrived at on that occasion. He was quite agreeable that all money Bills of importance should be initiated by the Lower House, but the Senate should have the right of amending taxation Bills. If Mr. Turner and Mr. Reid wouid not have federation except on their terms, then they had better federate themselves, for the other States would have none of it.

Mr. Higgina (Victoria) regarded the position a; dangerous. The smaller States outnumbering the larger States in the Convention, could do what they liked with the Bill, bub he warned them they could nob obtain federation by such means. He appealed to them to exercise their tremendous power wisely and with care.

Mr. Holder (South Australia) and Mr. Douglas (Tasmania) stated that if Mr. Reid's idea was adopted neither of their colonies would federate.

Mr. O'Connor (Sydney) was quite willing to give the greatest power to the smaller States consistent with responsible Government. His objection to equal power was that the bulk of the people would refuse to be dominated by a smaller section in the matter of expenditure.

Mr. McMillan (Sydney), in a conciliatory speech, said he thought that giving the co-ordinate power did nob destroy the financial supremacy which the Lower House possessed by its power of initiation. He would refuse to give the Senate the right in a proper and dignified way, telling them how far they had gone, and how far they should go.

Mr. Deakin, in a strong speech, urged the acceptance of the qualifying powers which experience had proved to be necessary for tbe transaction of public business. He thought ib quite unlikely that the bulk of the Lower House would accede to anythin? which would be unjust to the bulk of the taxpayers. Therefore, ic was not necessary to give the Senate power by which the minority might upset the decision of the majority.

The Convention decided to continue the sittings each evening. It is almost certain to sit on the holidays, except Good Friday.