THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 37

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Melbourne, February 2. The financial ci&Usm of the Federation Bill are unlikely to be ready before next la is understood that they provide fof five years' febdi keeping between the Colofiibs; With special cmwmiorn to Westraha. At the eild Vt the five years the Federation must provide a scheme fdr the distribution of the Customs surplus. I# case's Where goods imported into New South . Wales under Freetrade are sent into adjoiniflg States it is proposed for some time to Charge ‘Federal duties on them. The Water question was under discussion The Right Hon' G. 11. Retd (Premier of New, South Wales) pointed o’tifc that the New South Wales Government Had received millions for a frontage‘s bn fhe river Darling on the understanding that the U.ie of the waters be secured to the purchasers. Atiy attempt to get New South Wales to give up absolute ownership of the Darling and Murray must fail. In regAfdjtO the latter river, he was willing to give up as much as necessary to South Australia. , .. , After a long discussion it was decided Oti the voices to strike out the clause dealing with the control of navigation and irrigation. . . , Various amendments yet remain to be dealt with. Melbourne. February 3. The debate on the riparian lights, which so far has given rise to the bitterest fight that the Federal movement has occasioned, absorbed the attention of the Convention all day. Amendments to get over the difficulty were before the committee galore, but none of them mot with approval. The New South Wales representatives took a determined stand in defence of their right®

The Right Hon G. Reid (Premier of New South Wales) strongly resisted the amendments giving an inter State commission or Federal Parliament Control in the matter. Ho thought that the Federal Court was sufficient to deal with any disputes which might arise of referring it to a political tribunal. New South Wales : had always treated the colonies in the matters she had absolute rights over in a friendly and generous way, though he thought it would be sinister to remove the water disputes from the jurisdiction of the Federal Court.

Tne Hon E. Barton (New South Wales) said all such disputes should be settled by the high Court and not by the Federal Parliament. What they came there for was to trust Federation with federal matters and not trust them with purely provincial oneß. The claim made was not a surrender of rights but the taking of them. He relied on the justice of the Convention to prevent any attempt to take away the rights of New South Wales, and he would resist suoh to the bitter end.

The adjournment hour arrived without the problem being in sight of solution. Melbourne, February 4.

The Federal Committee, on the casting vote of the Chairman, carried an amendment giving control over the Murray and Darling rivers as far as may be necessary to improve their navigability, but providing that no State shall be prevented from using any of the waters of such rivers for conservation and irrigation. The Eight Hon G. Eeid (Piemier of New South Wales), in a hot speech, said it was clear that attempt was being to take away the rights of New South Wales. _ Interference with 1300 miles of her rivers would not be tolerated, and the destiny of the Continent might be wrecked for the sake of a few wool barges passing into South Australia. When the motion for the insertion of the amendment was put, it was rejected by 24 to 16.

Mr Reid moved, as an amendment, that no State or citizen shall be prevented from using any such waters for the purpose of irrigation or water conservation. He said if me> amendment was not carried he would be iiiktble to use his influence in New- South Wales? to get the electors to accept theßilL' The discussion had not finished when the adjournment hour arrived. Melbourne, February?. At the' federal Convention the Right Hon Gr. If. ffeld (Premier of New South Wales), withdrew fife amendment—That no State or citizen shall be prevented from using any such waters for the purpose of irrigation or water conservation —on the Convention rescinding the amendment made by South Australia defining the th’rifi navigability,, the passing of which Mr Reid extended rendered his amendment necessary. ’The rescission waa only carried on the casting vote of the^ Chairman. Sir G. Turner (Premier of Victoria) wished to see the matter finally settled. He practically moved Mr Reid’s amendment, which was negatived by 35 to 8. Ifc is likely the matter will again crop up fate?.-