FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10762, 29 March 1897, Page 2

FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Prasi Asjasiation— By Teljgraph—Copyrisht Adelaide, Maich 27. The local delegates are much exercised over the question of federal franchise. It adnlt franchise is not adopted it would mean, so far as this colony is concerned, that the Constitution, when referred, to the people, would be defeated, because the women would vote against a measure which disfranchised them in the event of federation. Mr Trenwith (Victoria) cams to the rescue by suggesting as a compromise that the form of federal franchise should bs manhood suffrage and in the States where the adult vote prevailed that should ba the system followed. Mr Lyne'a speech could hardly" be regarded as a conciliatory one. He was not going, he said, to let the small States have their own way. Judging by his speech, New South Wales was to be ths great sacrifice at the federal altar.

Mr Dobson (Tasmania) delivered himself of some fine old Conservative arguments. He would not grant manhood suffrage at all, and stuck out lor Tasmania being equal with ths large colonies in the Senate. Next Wednesday may see the present Sow of oratory ended, and then the committees will get to work to draft' a constitution, which, it ia surmised, will take fully a week, after which the real work of the Convention will begin. A good deal of intriguing has been going onto secure an adjournment of the Convention to allow tha Premiers to visit England. If this is not brought about ifc is possible that the Convention will have to continue without their aid. It is openly stated that Sir H. Nelsons telegram was a ruse to bring about the desired adjournment, but the bulk ot the opinion oE the delegates is dead against such a course. , Brisbane, March 27. The Central Separation League have seat a memorial to the Federal Convention setting forth ths claims of Central Queensland, and protesting against the clause preventing the Federal Parliament creating or admitting new States without the consent of the Parliaments of the States concerned.