FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6872, 23 April 1897, Page 1

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (per united press association.) Received April 22, at 8.30 p.m. Adelaide, April 21. The powers proposed to be given to the inter-State commission dealing with railway rates were a fruitful source of discussion to day. Instead of laying down definite rules for the guidance of the Commission it was decided to leave Parliament to determine the powers which would best safeguard the freedom of trade between the States. It was sought to give power to any State to prevent the admission of opium and alcohol within its border. This idea bumped up against the intention of having absolute freetrade between the States, and the inclusion of such subjects would raise contentions and issues when the constitution came before the people for discussion. It was nob considered wise to give the States power to cut off what must be a very large source of revenue to the Commonwealth. On the other hand there was nothing to prevent a State prohibiting the sale of these articles within its boundary, so that it was hard to see how the Commonwealth would be any worse off if it gave the State power to prohibit the importation. The committee eventually declined to give such power. Received ipril 22, at 9 p.m. Adelaide April 22. A proposal to provide against deadlocks was introduced by Mr Wise, to the effect that if the Senate rejects a measure passed by the House, and again rejects it after the House has gone to the country on the question, the Governor-General may dissolve the Senate. This was rejected by 19 to 11. Another proposal, submitted by Mr Isaacs, providing that if either House rejects a Bill twice in successive sessions a referendum may be taken, but to secure an affirmative vote ib would require a majority of the people in a majority of the States, and a majority also in the Common wealth, was rejected by 18 to 13.