AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11924, 24 December 1900, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH.

PREPARING FOR THE CKLEISKATIONN. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. .SYDNEY, December 22.

(Received Dec. 22, at 9.30 a.m.) Sir W. J. Lyne denies the truth of the rumour that he intends to seek an amendment to the Federal Constitution. It is understood that he will advocate only a modified form of Protection.

(Received Dec. 22, at 12.54 p.m.) Visitors from the various colonies are pouring in for the federal celebrations. Among those who landed to-day were Sir Maurice O'Rorkc and Colonel I'enlcm, from New Zealand.

The recent conference of the postal heads of the federating colonies considered the questions of sixpenny telegrams throughout the Commonwealth, and a penny postage in the Commonwealth and with Britain, but made no definite recommendations.

(Received Dec. 22, at 8.51 p.m.)

The British and Indian contingents by the Britannic and Dalhousie landed to-day, and were welcomed enthusiastically.

December 23.

(Received Dec. 24, at 1.10 a.m.)

Sir G. Turner and Mr Holder had a long conference with Sir W. J. Lyne yesterday and to-day. They returned home by tonight's express. They discussed tlm question of the Federal Ministry and its policy, but beyond a non-committal statement that the proceedings were most amicable all preserve the strictest reticence. It is understood nothing is 3'et definitely settled, and that it will be to-morrow evening or Tuesday before Sir W. J. Lyne make? any definite announcement.