Federal Convention.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 994, 20 March 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

Federal Convention.

* . (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) V 5 Sydney, March 18. At the Convention yesterday the discussion was of a desultory character, but resulted in the States Right Rarty gaining a decided point. . The Committee resumed to-day with the consideration of Resolution No. 3 (Constitution of the Executive), No. 2 being held over. Mr Biker (South Australia) moved to strike out all the words after “ advisers ” —viz., “ and whose term of office shall depend upon their possessing the confidence of the House of Representatives, expressed by the support of a majority,” in order that resolution No. 1, passed yesterday, and No. 3 should be referred to a select committee, to be termed a Committee of Compromise, on the subject, these two resolutions having practically formed the subject of the recent debate. Ho thought it was better that they should go to a committee conjointly. By the omission of the words mentioned, the resolutions could be sent to the committee without debate, as they would not express any opinion bn which the committee might require to know the views of the Convention before dealing with them. SirS. Gxiffith (Queensland) moved as a further amendment to add the words “who may sit-in Parliament” after “ Advisers.” The Hon C. C. Kingston (South Australia) objected to Baying at the present stage whether the Executive should sit in Parliament or not. The Select Committee should Dot have its hands tied when considering the resolution. Sir J. W. Downer (South Australia) thought Sir S. Griffith’s amendment practically left it open to the Committee to affirm either the Swiss or American Constitutions. He did not see that they could adequately deal with the third resolution until they had definitely settled the first resolution. Sir S. Griffith withdrew his amendment, and the Hon Mr Baker’s was negatived. The amendment by Sir J. W. Downer, that all words after “ Parliament ” be omitted, was carried. The resolution, as finally amended, reads :—“Executive consisting of Go-vernor-General and such persons as may from —time to time be appointed his Advisers, such persons sitting in Parliament.” __ _ "> The second resolution dealing with the judiciary was next considered.' . The Hon. H. J. Wrixon (Victoria) moved that the words “ under direct authority of the Sovereign, whose decisions as such shall be final,” be omitted, thus leaving the question open to the Select Committee to decide. The Hon. A. J. Clark (Tasmania) said if the amendment were carried it would only provide for aFederal Courtof Appeal. In his opinion they must have a complete Judiciary for the Federal Council. The amendment was carried, and the resolution, as amended, which no reads, “ A Judiciary consisting of the Federal Supreme Court, which shall constitute the High Court of Appeal for Australia,” was passed. The Hon. E. Barton (South Australia) moved the resolution : “That no new States be formed by separation from another State, nor any State formed in conjunction with two or more States or parts without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned and the Federal Parliament.”

The resolution was carried. Sir George Grey (New Zealand) moved: “That the inhabitants of each State federated in Australia ought to be allowed to choose, if they saw fit, from time to time to vary the form of the state of government under which they desire to live ; provision, therefore, ought to be made in the Federal Constitution to enable the people of each State to adopt, by the vote of the majority, its own form of State Constitution.” Sir H. Parkes objected to the motion, and raised a pomt of order." Sir G. Grey said he had a right to consider theo whole form of the Federated Constitution, and if he were not allowed power to do so he had been treated badly in being brought to such a Convention. . Dr Cockburn did not think the Convention should deal with details, but it was germane to the business of the meeting to say whether the Colonies are to have the power of framing their own Constitutions. He looked upon the proposition as a fundamental one. At present they could not change their Constitutions without reference to the Imperial Government. Mr Gillies said not a single Colony had authorised its delegates to deal with this question of alterations in the Constitutions. He ventured to say, if appealed to on the subject, the Colonies would regard such interference as a piece of impertinence. They were able to alter their own Constitutions without being dictated to by the Convention. Mr Kingston held that they had a perfect right to discuss the motion. The

fact that they were erecting a Federal Constitution amounted to an alteration in the local constitutions. The Convention was asking for certain surrenders. If it had this power then it certainly should be able to consider the various local constitutions. Sir H. Parkes submitted that the last speaker’s arguments had not been sustained, t«nd contended that they were restricted by the resolutions of the various Parliaments defining the powers of delegates based on the Melbourne Conference. The whole theory .of Government might come under their range if this motion wers permitted. Mr Patterson agreed with Sir H. Parkes that Sir Geo. Grey’s motion amounted to giving power to the Imperial Government to assert itself over the Colonial Constitutions vesting in the Federal Government. Sir Samuel Griffith said the Federal Government must see that the Colonies did not alter their form of Government. He pointed out the danger of a Colony deciding to become a Crown Colony, and perhaps breaking up Federation. Sir H. Parkes then withdrew his point of order, saying his only object was to confine the discussion within legitimate scope. Sir George Grey withdrew his motion because it could not have been carried. He said he was satisfied of his undoubted right to table the motion. He would now present the motion in a different foim, so that it might, if passed, be fully considered by the Committee. He then moved, “ That provision should be made in the Federable Constitution to enable each State to make, or vary, or annul, its I Constitution. Sir George, in speaking to the motion, pictured the great advantages that would accrue from land nationalisa tion, by opening up the country by means of railways, and by making the law profession freer to all classes. The Hon W. McMillan (New South Wales) thought the motion was extraneous, and as the Convention would probably have to complete its labours within a few days, they should get on with the important works as soon as possible. He suggested that Sir Geo. Grey should withdraw his motion. Sir J. C. Bray (South Australia) was of opinion that Sir Geo. Grey would withdraw his motion if he was assured that the Committee would deal with the point he had raised. He would support the motion. He suggested as an amendment that the Colonies make such amendments in the Constitution as were necessary for the successful working of Federation. Hon. J; Forrest (Western Australia) failed to see that there was anything more in the motion than they had before them at present. One detail that ought to be considered was whether the assent to the alterations should come from the Governor General or be referred for the Imperial assent. Sir George Grey said he would prefer to be defeated on the question rather than retreat ftom the position ho had tanen up. He believed that when they sent the Federal Constitution to the people for their consideration they would not accept it without the liberties and power he had contended for. Sir J. C. Bray then formally moved the amendment be had suggested in his previous speech in place of the words “make, vary and annul.” This was carried, and the resolution was passed as amended.

The Hon. A. Deakin (Victoria) suggested that a special Legal Committee should be appointed to consider the question of the judiciary. The resolutions a 3 amended were reported to the Convention and adopted. The Hon E. Barton (New South Wales) moved that the resolutions which had been reported to the Convention be referred to two committees, one to consider the constitutional machinery and the distribution of factions and powers, and the other to take into consideration the questions relating to finance, taxation and trade regulations. The first committee to consist of two members of each delegation, and the last named committee to be composed of one member from each delegation ; also, that the last named committee specially consider resolutions Nos. 2 and 3 bearing on trade intercourse and Customs, with the view of carrying into effect the lines suggested by the several Colonies, and furnish a report to the Constitutional Committee. The Hon A. J. Clark (Tasmania) moved that a Committee be appointed to consider the question of the establishment of a Federal Judiciary its powers and functions —and report to the committee set up to enquire into the Constitutional machinery, the said committee to consist of one member from each delegation ; and that when that Constitutional Committee had arrived at their conclusions they should draw up a Bill to establish a Federal Government as speedily as was consistent with efficiency. Those motions were agreed to. The following are the Committees which were appointed - To consider the constitutional machinery, etc. —Hon A. Deakin and Hon D. Gillies (Victoria), Sir Henry Parkes and Hon E. Barton (New South Wales),

Hou T. Playford and Sir J. W. Downer (South Australia), Sir S. W. Griffith and Hou A. J. Thy tine (Queensland), Hon A. Douglas and Hon A. J. Clarke (Tasmania). Sir J. G. Le Steere and Hon John Forrest (Western Australia), Sir George Grey and Hon Captain Russell (New Zealand). To cousider the questions relaling to finance, trade, &c. —Hon. J. Munro (Victoria), Hon. VV. McMillan (New South Wales), Sir J. C. Bray (South Australia), S r T. Moll wraith (Queensland), Hon. W. H. Burgess (Tasmania), Hon. W. E. Marmiou (Western Auslralia), Sir Harry Atkinson (New Zealand). To consider the question of tiie Federal Judiciarv.—Hon. H. J. Wrixon (Vic toria), Hon. G. R. Gibbs (New South Wales), Hon. C. C. Kingston (South Australia), Hon. A. Rutledge (Queensland), Hon. A. J. Clarke (Tasmania), MrHackett (Western Australia), Sir Harry Atkinson (New Zealand). The Convention then adjourned till Tuesday next to give the Select Committees time to draft their reports.

A HISTORICAL GATHERING. SOME REMINISCENCES OF OLDEN TIMES. SIR GEORGE GREY’S FIRST VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. (from our special correspondent.) (Continued.) Svdney, March 2. After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Lieutenant Grey decided to attempt the journey in his two whaleboats, but ad. verse weather prevailed, and more than once the frail craft were all) but swamped. Finally they were wrecked in crossing the heavy surf at Gautheaume Bay. There was no alternative now but to attempt the journey overland, and under date April 2nd, we find the leader writing in his journal : “ were now all ready to commence our toilsome journey; the provisions had been shared out —twenty pounds of flour and one pound of salt provisions per man was all that was left. What I have here designated by the name of flonr was quite unworthy of being so called ; it was of a dark yellowish brown colour, and had such a sour fermented taste that nothing but absolute necessity could induce anybody to eat it. The party, however, were in high spirits ; they talked of a walk of three hundred miles in a direct line, through the country (without taking hills, valleys, and necessary deviations into account), as a trifle, and in imagination were already feasting at home, and taking their ease after the toils they had undergone.” The majority of the men, however, soon showed themselves nnable or unwilling to pres 3 forward with the rapidity which the leader saw to be absolutely necessary in order to save the lives of the party ; and after a week, during which only 70 miles had been accomplished, Lieutenant Grey determined to take the four strongest men of the party and the native and to push on to Perth by forced marches, for the purpose of sending back assistance to the others. After giving careful directions to Mr Walker, the surgeon, whom he left in command of the remainder of the expedition, he set out. The narrative of this journey is one of the most stirring records of Australian exploration, and it is a pity that the two volumes in which Captain Grey embodied the records of these expeditions have not been reprinted. Considerations for your space, however, preclude me from making more than two or three brief extracts. Under date April 13, the explorer writes : —“ Soon after the fires had been lighted I was sitting alone by m : ne as the shadows of night were just falling over the wild hilly scenery with which we were surrounded. I had no water to cook a portion of the three spoonfnls of arrowroot yet left me, and I saw each of the others preparing his scanty portion of food. The native had at this time gone away to look for zaraia nuts, and it may be imagined that many undefined feelings at such a time thronged rapidly through my mind. While thus thinking I heard Hackney propose to Woods to offer me a share of their little store of food. • No,’ said Woods, ‘everyone for himself under these circumstances ; let Mr Grey do as well as he can, and I will do the same. * Well, then, I shall give him some of mine at all events,’ said Hackney ; and a few minutes afterwards he came up to my fire and pressed me to accept a morsel of damper about the size of a walnut. I hesitated at first whether to do so or not, but being aware that when we came into a country where game was to be found I could, by means of my gun, provide ample to repay the lad, I took it after several refusals, and having it as often warmly pressed upon me.” Even when reduced to such extremities Lieutenant Grey manifested a consideration for the natives which would seem almost excessive did we not know that the robbery of their stores at certain seasons might mean starvation to several families of these people who depend entirely upon the scant productions of the country. With the last morsel of his own food already consumed we find Lieutenant Grey writing under date April 14th :—“ We halted at the first pool we came to, and the men who had a little flour left boiled two tablespoonsful of this in about a pint and a half of water, thus making what they caLled soup. In the meantime Kaiber came and told me that he had found some holes in which the Natives had, according to their custom, buried a store of By-yu nuts, and he at the same time requested

permission to steal them. I reflected for some time on the proposal. I was reluctant to mark the first approach of civilised man to this country of a savage race by an unprovoked act of pillage and robbery. Yet we were now in the desert, on the point of perishing for want of food, the pangs of hunger gnav.ing us even in our very sleep, and with the means of temporary relief at hand. I myself asked if I should be acting justly or humanely by the others, whose lives where at stake, if I allowed them to pass by that store, which seemed providentially offered to us, without pointing it out. In my perplexity 1 turned to Kaioer. He answered : ‘lf we take all, this people will be angered greatly. They will say “ What thief has stolen here; track his footsteps, spear him tarough the heart; wherefore has he stolen our hidden food ?” But if take what is buried in one hole, they will say : “ Hungry people have been here ; they were very empty, and now their bellies are full. They may have been sorcerers ; now they will not eat us as we sleep.” “ Good, it is good, Kaiber,” I replied, “ come with me, and we will rob one hole.” And accordingly we went and took the contents of one, leaving three others undisturbed. I brought hack these nuts to the men, aud we shared them amongst us.

One turns with reluctance from these absorbing pages, but I must resist the temptation to make further extracts. Suffice it to say that, after narrowly escaping n horrible death in the desert from thirst, Lieutenant Grey and his companions did reach Berth in safety on the 20th of April, and the intrepid leader sent on effective assistance to bis comrades in the wilderness, all of whom were rescued except poor young Smith, to whose fate Lieutenant Grey so touchingly refers when contemplating his own death from the hip wound inflicted upon him in the North Australian wilderness. His condition upon arrival was deplorable. “The Governor,” he says, * ‘ could scarcely credit his sight when he beheld the miserable object that stood before him ; but in this, as in all other instances in which 1 have known him, the goodness of his heart shone conspicuous. Not only was every kindness shown me, but immediate steps were taken to forward assistance to those who were still in the bush. Having thus far performed my duty, I retired to press a bed once more, having for nearly three con* secutive months slept in the open air, on the ground, just at the spot where my day’s hardship had terminated. So changed was I, that those of my friends, who had heard of my arrival, and were coming to congratulate me, passed me in the street, whilst others to whom I went up and held out my hand, drew back in horror, and said, ‘ I beg your pardon, who are you V ” The expedition resulted in the discovery of the Gascoyne, Murchison, Hntt, Bowes, Buller, Chapman, Greenhough, Irwin, Arrowsmith, and Smith Rivers, which, together with the large district of Victoria, Western Australia, and the Victoria ranges, still bear the names assigned to them by their first, discoverer.

The oapaoity displayed by Lientenant Grey in these expeditions was not over, looked by the Imperial Government, and after his retnrn to England the Governorship of South Australia was offered to him, that colony being then in a deplorable condition. He presented himself at Government House, Adelaide, on the 12th of May, 1841, and discharged the embarrassing duty of informing Colonel Gawler, the Governor, that he had come to supersede him. The greatest political excitement prevailed at the time, Governor Gawler’s drafts having been dishonoured by the Secretary of State. The new Governor took in hand the refoimation of the colonial finances in a manner that was characteristic of his energy and resolution. He reduced the colonial expenditure from £150,000 a year to £40,000. The liberated labour found its way upon the land, and in November, 1841, the young Governor was able to report that the colony was in a prosperous condition, and agriculture rapidly progressing, a condition of affairs which continued up to the time when Captain Grey was ordered by the Imperial Government in 1844 to proceed to New Zealand for the purpose of settling the serious troubles which beset those islands, where the Colonial Government was engaged in a straggle for existence against the rebellious Northern natives under Hone Heke. His life has since been spent in other parts of the Empire, and in his old age he visits Sydney for the first time. With what strange feelings must he survey the great cities that have arisen upon those Australian wilds which he trod in his youth. And how vividly do these reminiscences bring before our view the marvellous growth in ail that makes up the greatness of a nation, which has taken place upon the continent of Australia within the span of one man’s mature life.

THE MEMBERS. Sydney, March 6. It ia interesting to note the composition of this representative gathering of Australasian statesmen, which comprises the most able men the Colonies have produced, and those who are now guiding the destinies of the vigorous nationality which is growing up in these southern seas. Of the 45 members of the Convention, 16 are native-born Australians, all the Colonies excepting Queensland and New Zfealand contributing some men who own the land of the Golden Fleece as their birthplace. Three fourths of the ethers arrived in the Colonies very early in life, and are thoroughly colonial in sentiment. In scanning down the biographies of members which are published in the Sydney papers, one cannot bub be impressed with the indications they contain that the avenue to wealth and the highest public distinctions

is freely open in the colonies to the poorest members of the community ; industry and na'ural ability, not family influence, are the. qualities requisite to ensure success. We hear a good deal now-a-days about working men representatives, but never has there been a time in the history of Australasia when the preponderance of political power has not rested with men who have known what straitened circumstances mean, and have improved their own condition in life. Take the members of this Convention as an example : one looks down the lRt in vain for the Dames of men “born in the purple.” The President himself, Sir Heury Parkes, was put out to work in the fields and in ropa - works in early his schooling being of the scantiest description. Many a time, as a child, be felt the pangs of hanger which he would have been glad of even a crust of bread to satisfy. When twelve years of age he apprenticed himself to a wood and ivory turner. The Premier of Victoria, Mr James Munro, commenced life in a minor position in a publishing house at Edinburgh, and after his arrival in Victoria was for seven years in the service of Messrs Fergusson and Moore, printers, of Melbourne. On the temperance question he is scarcely less enthusiastic than onr own cold water apostle, Sir William Fox. The Premier of South Australia, Hen T. Playford was tha son of a non conformist clergyman, and commenced life as a small farmer at Mitcham, whence he removed to the hills and took op gardening pursuits as a livelihood. The Premier of Queensland, Sir S, W- Griffith, is the son of a Congregational minister, and wsb only nine years old when his father settled at Jpswich in Queensland. He had a very successful school course, and adopted the law as a profession. , The Premier of Tasmania, the Hon P. O. Fysh, commenced life in a subordinate position in the London office of an Australian merchant, and after 10 years’ service was sent out to Tasmania as manager of one of the firm’s agencies. One might go right through the list of members with much the same result. The exPremier of Victoria commenced his colonial life a 3 a working miner at Ballarat. That rising young Victorian politician, Mr Deakin, is the son cf a coach proprietor, and follows journalism as a profession. Mr G. -R. Dibbs, ex-Premier and present leader of the Opposition in New South

Wales, began life as a junior olerk in the office of a Sydney wine merchant, and for several years followed a seafaring life. The Hon J. M. Macrossan, Minister of Public Works in the Mcllwraith Cabinet, was a working miner in Queensland in 1865, and for years subsequently. He is pretty certain to be the first Premier of the new colony ia North Queensland if separation i 3 granted. The Hon John Forrest, Premier of Queensland, is a surveyor. / Looking down from the Press Gallery npon this distinguished gathering of representative men, whose names will become as notable in Australian history as those which were appended to that celebrated Declaration of Independence which launched the States of America into a united national existence, one naturally endeavours to pick out from among the number the men who are destined to take the lead in the affairs of the new Dominion. Sir Henry Parkes will of coarse from his position, as well as his great natural talents, take the foremost place, but his weight of seventy-six years precludes the possibility of any long continuance in active political life. The sturdy figure of Sir Thomas Mcllwraith, crowned by a massive head, imparts a sense of power, which is not belied by his reputation. Sir Samuel Griffith is also evidently, a man who will make his mark. These two political leaders, who for so many years headed the two rival parties in Queensland, have now combined their forces in a coalition Ministry, Mr Playioid, the Queensland Premier, is a rough diamond possessed of good natural ability, and evidently endowed with a fall share cf the plnok of his father, who as & troop sergeant-Major fought with Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. He stands in decided contrast to his predecessor in the Premiership, Dr Cockburn, the polished University man, who, however, outbids him in the advanced character of his views, having been ousted from office upon his proposals for a graduated land tax. The Hon William McMillau T {of McArthur’s firm), the present Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales, is a man of good business ability, who holds a high position in the estimation of the commercial men in Sydney. He is a fluent speaker, and not easily disconcerted.

A sense of disappointment crosses one’s mind when,, after a prolonged search for the Hon A. J. Clark, Attorney-General of Tasmania, who was announced by a cable messagß a little while ago as drafting a Federal Constitution, the eye lights npon a little insignificant - looking man with ferret eyes and a general air of smallness. But the Bill which he has drafted entirely upon his own motion, together with the character of the long memorandum in which he explains the basis upon which he has proceeded, marks him as a man of good capacity, an expression that is confirmed by those who know him. The Hon C. C. Kingstone, Attorney-General of South Australia, has also prepared a draft Constitution of a more elaborate character than that submitted by Mr Clark. He is also evidently a man of genuine ability. I shall have more to say about this business of con-stitution-making anon. There are several other members of the Convention who are manifestly men to be reckoned with—among them Mr Edmund Barton, a native Australian, who at 42 years of age has already been Attorney General and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in New South Wales. Mr Shiels, whose name we have heard across the water in connection with his efforts in Victoria and also In EDg-

land on behalf of the Divorce Extension Bill, is temporarily filling the place of Mr Wrixon. He is a lively, sensible man. Messrs Gillies and Deakin are the strongest members of the Victorian contingent. The New Zealand delegates, Sir George Grey, Sir Harry Atkinson, and Captain Russell, it is scarcely needful for me to say much about to New Zealanders. I have no hesitation in stating, however, that they are well able to acquit themselves with distinction in any assemblage of Australian statesmen. Sir George Grey is peculiarly an object of interest inside and outside the Convention. The local newspapers have given special prominence to his personality and views, each in turn subjecting him to an interview. The New Z-alanders in Sydney received him at the steamer, and drove him in state to the Hotel Metropole, where he is slaying. The formal presentation of a handsomely illuminated address is to take place at the Town Halloa Saturday next, hast night there was a special gathering of the Single Tax League of New South ' Wales, at which he was presented with an address expressing appreciation of his efforts in connection with the land tax legislation. He delivered an address, in the course of which while disclaiming adhesion to the extreme doctrines of the single tax, he asserted the soundness of the principle of taxation upon land. His reception was marked with great cordiality.