THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1900.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11715, 24 April 1900, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1900.

Thu result of the conference of the Australian Premiers last week will not be to facilitate the passage of the Commonwealth Bill through the Imperial Parliament. Pather, it invites a halt. Practically, tho Premiers demand the liilt in thy form in whicli it has been approved by the federating colonies, thn whole Bill, and notnhig Imt tlie Hill, flue upon one point at least—that of.tho limitation and possible abolition'of the right of appeal to (lie Privy Council— the Colonial Office will, probably, also he disinclined to concede one jot. In that event a deadlock will be produced. The main point of difference' between the Australian Governments and the Imperial Government !m.s reference ta this question of the right of appeal. It i.s certainly surprising that tho Premiers and tho delegates whom the colonies have sent to England to watch their interests should so resolutely object to the amendment of the Bill in such a way as will leave the right of appeal unaffected. And it is distinctly disappointing that the objection to the Bill, as it stands, that it would impair the Queen's prerogative should apparently have been regai-ded by the Premiers as of small consequence. It is in reality a vital objection. It is a question of whether

there shall be maintained a final court of ;apj)eal to which all tlie subjects of the Queen shall, because they are members of' the Empire, have-the.'right to go. T lie Premiers' Conference, in declining to acquiesce in the suggestion that the Bill should-be amended in order to preserve this right tp Aiijbtrqlians, shelters itself behind the results of tiie referendum in the federating colonies. "The subject," it. is declared, "belongs very specially to the people, whose mandate to their Governments and Parliaments is to seek the enactment of; the Bill by the Imperial Parliament in the fovin in which it was adopted by them." The obvious answer to that is that the question is uot merely .nn Australian . one. It is an Imperial question', in which is involved the recognition of the supremacy of British law. All the other colonies possess tlie right, which their Australian sisters share at the present time, of appeal, to the Privy Council. This common right is one of the bonds that unite the Empire. And it is surely an incongruous and an extraordinary thing that at this 'juncture in the history of our race, when the colonies have been making large ''.sacrifices oE men and money on behalf of the Empire, and when they have been protesting that they claim the right to a share in the Empire's responsibilities as well as in its privileges, the public leaders in five of the colonies which are about to enter into a great and powerful federation should demand the acceptance of a proposal that would tend to weaken the unity of the Empire. For if the Australian Commonwealth is granted the concession that from its own Federal High Court there shall only be a limited right of apperd to the. Privy Council, a similar concession would, if demanded, have to be granted to the South African ■Federation which, is. to be created iv tho not distant future, and to India, and to Canada, and, indeed, to such other groups of tne British possessions as might seek it. The Imperial nexus in matters of law would be gone. The only means by which uniformity of interpretation of the laws common to all parts of, tho Empire is obtainable would bo thrown aside. "We doubt very much whether the people of Australia, behiud whom the Premiers'entrench themselves, desire -to 'take any. step that' would he calculated to break down the unity of the Empire. Certainly they have not expressed any strong feeling in favour of the objectionable feature of the Bill. Per one tiling, the question of the rightof appeal was not- a material issue at any referendum upon the subject of federation. Moreover, tho Federation Convention, v.-as almost evenly divided on the very point that is now in dispute. Indeed, as Mr Carruthers, who was Minister cf Lauds.ih the lato Reid Govenimeut in New South Wales, has pointed out, the. Convention contradicted it-self with-regard to it. In 1897, at Adelaide, the Convention provided that there should be practically no appeal to the Privy Council, excepting with regard io the interpretation of the Constitution. In 1898, wheu-the Conference met at Melbourne, it executed a complete somersault. Its determination then was that there should'be absolutely no appeal with respect to the interpretation of the Constitution, but that there npght ba an appeal in other matters. From this the conclusion is inevitable that the' Convention represented no settled public opinion on the .subject. Indeed, Mr Carruthers contends that the voice of public opinion, as expressed through •resolutions of the Legislatures of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, 15, if anything, adverse to this provision of the Bill. In nny case, however, the insistence of the Premiers upon the re-tc-.illoniii.tlie measure of a proposal that would impair the 11 oval prerogative and weaken the unity of the Empire is unfortunate and singularly ill-timed.

Besides tlie question of the right- of appeal, there, are two other points for negotiation between the Colonial Office and the Australian Governments, and though the latter, through their Premiers, hare adopted for the time an uncompromising attitude, they are points that should readily lend themselves to adjustment. The concession which | Western Australia desires is not a large j one. The Commonwealth Bill provides j for exceptional treatment for that colony. Tho Parliament of the western .State is expressly permitted, during the first five years after tho imposition of [ uniform customs duties throughout tho ! federation, to impose its own duties | npon Australian products, conditionally npon one-fifth of the impost being remitted annually, so that at tho close of the quinquennium inter-State Freetrade shall bo absolute within the Coramon--1 wealth. Western Australia seeks such a variation of that, provision as will enable her to do what she likes in her five years' grace. It is a comparatively small point, and, for tlie sake of securing Western Australia within the union, the other colonies might well make her the concession she desires. Then, there is tho point of the position of New Zealand in regard to tho other colonies. Any concession to this colony is clearly Jnaclo ex gratia. The indifference of our Government regarding the subject at the time when representations should liave heen made to the Federation Conventions as would have given New Zealand the right of admission to the Commonwealth within a certain period, if she so desired, 'has, as Mr Chamberlain has recognised, put us out of court. AVo are not in a position to dictate terms. Any proposition we have to make must now be endorsed by the Australian Governments before Mr Chamberlain will take it into consideration. But the amendment, for which tlio Agent-general is now pressing, that an open door should be preserved for seven years for the admission of New Zealand into the Commonwealth upon the same terms as an original State, is not hy any means unreasonable. AYe have forfeited any right, as a colony, to a voice in the settlement of ihe Constitution of the Commonwealth. AYe must accept it as it stands. That, is a penalty we have to pay for having deliberately held aloof from tho work of preparing the foundations of the Australian Commonwealth. AVhat we now ask is that we shall be granted the indulgence of a term of ■years within which to make up our minds whether wo shall enter tlio federation or not without incurring any further penalty. This is uot an unfair request. New Zealand i.s differently situated from the othor colonies. The argument which would justify the penalising of auy colony ou tlie Australian continent for not joining as an oriwinnl State manifestly cannot apply to a colony that is separated by 1200 miles from the mainland, and that has not been begged to join, as Queensland has been. And, if thore is no desire on the part of the other colonies to impose any unfavourable terms and conditions with

respect to the admission of New Zealand to the Commonwealth, there should, be no opposition- to the concession for ■which Mr Reeves has now asked. The policy of the federating States should, we imagine, be to encourage New Zealand to join. , : :

Tlie Telegraph department inform us. that the Zanxibar-Mombassa cable is restored.

Taking time hy the forelock, while, the scrutineers were absent counting the votes for ■ the election of the new committee for tho Ravensbourne district last evening, ilr P. G-. . Cray presented for signature by the assembled householders' a petition to the. AVest Harbour Borough Council having for its object the renovation ol tlio Main road from Logan's Point to the lower end of Rothesay AVard, and the building of p. new bridge and culvert at Gallon's. The expenditure required on the road, he had ascertained, would amount to £350, and that on tho bridge to £150. The petition was numerously signed, and will bo presented to the council in due courso. Tlio delegates to the Trades aud Labour Conference at Wellington have expressed great sympathy \yith the Tion. J. 'M'Kenzic in his illness, ancl have sent him a telegram tc that effect. Tliey also, passed a resolution similar in tenor, with. an expression of hopa that he would' speedily recover in strength and vigour. We learn that the hon. gentleman is making progress, though somewhat slow, towards recovery. " :. Mr A. W. Baker, the director of tho South African Compounds Mission, was accorded a very hearty reception"at a welcome meeting held in the Y.W.C.A. Rooms yesterday evening. Mr Baker, who seemed none the worse of a few day,-,' quiet on the quarantined steamer Tarawera, in a conversational way gavo his hearers a .few leaves-out of the book of his Christian experience in South Africa, especially dealing with tlio earlier part of his work amongst, the natives. Messrs Duncan AVright, AVilliam Ings, E. Aslin, j. M'Leod, and others took part in the meeting. Yesterday being St. George's Day, there ' was no sitting of the Magistrate's Court. ■ Mr P. G. Prydo, .LP., disposed of tho Police Court business yesterday morning. Two men who fell into the clutches of the law for the first time as a result of imbibing 100 froelj were cautioned and let off, and an "habitual" (Mary Blue) was fined 10s, in default d 8 hour* imprisonment. The Hon. Treasurer (Mr Ernest Rosevear. Bible Depot) of tho Southern Maori Missioi: has received a telegram to the effect -that the Native agent recently engaged by the committee will be leaving Auckland for tho couth shortly. - ■ The remains of the lato, Sir R. Bauehop were interred in the New Cemetery, Port Chalmers, yesterday afternoon, fully 400 persons being present. The funeral procession— a most imposing one—was headed hy the Port Chalmers Band,, which played appropriate, marches on the way to the cemetery. The A.O.F, of ivhich Mr Bauchop was an officer, took a prominent part in the procession ; while the Masonic body was strongly represented by its Past Masters. The services at the grave were conducted by tlie Rev. lit Taylor, while those appertaining to the Order of Foresters were impressively rendered by Bro. E. E. Smith, P.C.R, The Masonic body hold a Lodge of Sorrow to-morrow. A AVellington city councillor is the authority for a..statement that boys in the Wellington city schools, not having time in the morning lo take rats, captured by them round to the destructor, had kept the defunct rodents— not more than one or two at a time —in theii school bags, along wdth their books and lunch, until dinner time. AYe understand that the Rev. R. Fairmaid, Kaitangata, is unable to see his way to accept the call which the congregation of AVaihola were about to present to him, and that ho has accordingly asked that ho further steps bo taken in the matter. Mr H. O. Fenton, 8.A., who until recently was a well-known resident in Dunedin, has accepted a position in England, and leaves by the Gothic f or London. At both of the services in Knox Church on Sunday last Mr AA'alter Richards, a gentleman who has recently arrived in Dunedin, presided at the fine Lewis organ iv the absence of Mr Barth, who is at present enjoying a short holiday in the country, llr Richards handled the instrument in a most masterly manner, displaying exquisite taste and Sue .manipulation, and the desire.v.-as "freely expressed by many that opportunities would he afforded of hearing him perform again during his stay iv the city. AYe understand.that Mr Richards, when a mere boy, rendered valuable, assistance at the opening cf the Knox Church organ, since which time he has travelled extensively in various parts of the world, and for many years held the important post of organist and choirmaster at the American Episcopal Church in Buenos Ayres, South America. Despite the wet weather'ther^ was a fairlygood attendance at the Princess theatre last night, when another entertainment was given by Montgomery's Kinematograph and Concert Company. The animated pictures and the myrioramic views were witnessed with unmistakable signs of pleasure by the audience, while the patriotic songs of Mr Montgomery nnd the comic contributions of Sir Harry Hall were also well recoived. Standing room was at a premium last night at Puller's Waxworks. This week's programme is one of the best yet submitted at tho Alhambra Theatre. Mr C4eorge Beat again scored a distinct success with his descriptive and humorous songs. Miss Eva AVilson had to respond to several undeniable encores. The Leslies in "Music a la Francaise " were at thoir best. Mr Fred Bluett's last three nights are announced. The orchestra lends material Said to 'the performers' efforts. At the Steele-Payne Bellringers' popular concert, to be given on Wednesday evening, one of the many interesting items will hs the song "Tiie shopwalker," by Mr Ralph Steele. <5> 1 Mr 11. S. Valentino wil! hold a sale of furniture, etc., at hi 3 rooms at 2 o'clook this afternoon. Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell gold nnd silver jewellery and general goods at their rooms on Saturday, 28th inst. Tlie New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company will hold a general stock sale at Bjdc on Thursday, May 3. The Perpetual Trustees, Estate, and Agency Company of New Zealand will sell at Oamaru o.i Saturday, May 5, a freehold farm near Ngapara. The Farmers' Agency Company will hold a sale of atock at Clinton on Thursday next. Messrs AVright, Stephenson, and Co. will sell crossbred wethers at Burnside to-morrow. The Dunedin Engineer A 7olunteers will parade at the Garrison Hall to-morrow at 2.15 p.m. for the purpose of attendiug the funeral of the late Sergeant R. Russell. Mr AAr. M. Innes, Port Chalmers, returns thanks to those who saved his properties on tho occasion of tho recent firo. A special meeting of members of the Duuedin Horticultural Society, and all interested in daffodils, wi!) be held in the Agricultural Hall to-morrow evening. The annual meeting of the society has boen postponed until the 30th inst. Messrs Duthie, Munro, and Co. announce that the s.s. Indiiinic is now loading at New •York for New Zealand. i The annual general meeting of the Otago Referees' Association will be held in the Central Hotel to-morrow evening. All claims against the estate of the late R. , H. Baird, of Bendeuioci, must be rendered!by May 10. . The Australian 'Mutual Provident Society, notify their intention to. issue a special policy on the life of Mr George AVynno AVright in place of one alleged to have "boon lost. The poll of ratepayers in the Borough of Port Chalmera on the loan proposal takes place to-day. Mr A. AY. Baker will give the first of his addresses in Otago at the Green Island Presbyterian' Church this evening. The first of the series of health lectures will be given this evening in the Y.W.C.A. rooms by Dr Colquhoun, his subject being " AVhat the Public Ought to Know About Consumption." Mr 11. A?. Lawes, representing the Gem Plate and a distinguished member of the New South AVales Photographic Society, is now visiting Dunodin, and has consented lo give an exhibition of lantern slides at the Dunodin Photo- . graphic Society's meeting next AVednesday evening, when he will also instruct thn«» "i-.ro-scnt in the art-.of lantern-slide muljui^

Tenders are invited for painting a residence in London street. AYiio is Peter Dick;-—-The most reliable Watchmaker and , Jeweller, opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt. ' 3bns llisi.ol', eldest established AVatchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. Good assortment AVatches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles suit all sights.—Advt. New Season's Drapery.—Cartf.ii and Co. have opened up ex Rangatira and Maori their first two shipments. They have the Whakatane and Gothic here now with their third ar.d fourth shipments. Visit Carter and Co. early.— Advt. The place to purchase presents is undoubtedly G. and T. Young's, watch and jewellery establishment, S8 Princes street. You can always rely upon getting value for your money there, See advt. first page. Treatment Dy massage and electricity for ' rheumatism, paralysis," nervous, and joint troubles, ilr and Mrs F.dwin Booth, Stuart stieet. Under medical patronage..—Ad' t.