PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13452, 31 May 1907, Page 5

PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

i! BR ADDON BLOT" QUESTION. i *""" | FEDERAL TREASURER'S PROi POSALS* By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright ! BbisbaKjE, May 30. At the Premiers' Conference yesterday Sir John Forrest, said be desired to see the i" Braddon blot" system respire in 1910, and to substitute the paying of a fixed amount, based on the average of the {m.«t five years, to each Stale, ! Strong opposition to this scheme waj» ! manifested by the large States. Under it ! New South Wales would lose 21 per cent. j Eventually the conference agreed to the average being taken over nine years, J instead of five. This was agreed to by ! way of a compromise. (Received May 31. 1.11 a.m.) 15 his BAN 11, May 50. At tuo Premiers' Conference day, the discussion of the Melbourne resolutions was continued, and the preamble now reads, "That the method of payment should Ins by a fixed sum equal to the average annual amount of three-fourths of the net revenue from excisc and Customs which the respective States have contributed during tfc; nine years prior to December 31, 1910."

This leaves the Federal Parliament roaster of the situation. If after 1910 the Federal Customs and excise receipts exceed the aggregate amount of the annual fixed sum guaranteed, any such sum in excess is to be attributed on a pel capita basis.