FEDERAL CONVENTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10418, 16 April 1897, Page 5

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Press Association,—Electric Telenraph.— Adelaide, April 15. The consideration of the money bills was finished last ni»ht, without) any further amendment of importance. An unsuccessful effort was made te make the consideration of the Sonata's suggestion as to money bills compulsory on the part of the House. The committee then proceeded to deal with the Bill from the commencement. The clause relating to the GovernorGeneral's salary was amended, so as to read, that the salary shall be £10,000, unless otherwise onacted by the Federal Parliament, nor shall the salary be altered during the Governor's continuance in office. The Convention decided to sit on Saturday and on Easter Monday. An effort was made to reduce the number of senators to a minimum of three, with an increase in numbers according to population. This attempt to clip the wings of the small States gave rise to an animated debate. Mr, Carruthers (Sydney) hotly objected to any constitution which would thwart the rule of the majority. He would prefer to wreck federation than to permit the majority being placed under the heel of a minority, especially in view of there being no means of referring a dispute to a final appeal to the people. Mr. Isaacs (Victoria) was of opinion that the abandonment of equal representation would make federation impossible, as the smaller States would not accept it. They should so arrange the powers of the Senate that it could not possibly dominate the large States. Both himself and Mr. Turner intended to take steps to get a provision for settling deadlocks, which would make the majority of the people dominate. With such a proviso he would concede equal representation. On a division being taken this afternoon the amendment destroying equal representation in the Senate found only four supporters. There is no doubt the bulk voted for the retention of the principle on the understanding that a safety valve to protect the majority against a minority will be introduced in the Bill. The clauses relating to the machinery of the Senate passed without vital amendment. The clause relating to the House is now under discussion.