AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22208, 10 March 1934, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION

CONFERENCE RESULTS

(From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY. March 1

Perhaps the most difficult job ever tackled by Australia was the framing of the Constitution when Federation was decided upon. 'lt involved months and months of hard work, and’ was the cause of great bitterness among the varied interests that had to be catered for. While it was agreed at the time that State interests had to be considered, there were times when it was clear that they must clash with those of the new Commonwealth authority, for it would not do for the Federal Government to be a mere figurehead* It had to be paramount, and it has been paramount. It must be admitted in the light of experience that the Constitution was by no means perfect. Born: of turmoil, it was extremely unlikely that it would be free of flaws. There are critics who insist even to-day that the States were “sold,” and there has been much talk of State rights during the Premiers’ Conference, which has been sitting for nearly a fortnight. However, the Constitution has withstood all attacks', and has withstood even the efforts of those who were genuinely anxious to improve it and make it better suited to changed conditions. Although no decision has yet been reached by the conference on the requests by the Commonwealth Government for greater powers, the financial provisions of the Constitution are to remain intact. Some of the States'fought hard to bring about changes that would involve greater monetary grants by the Federal Government, but thanks mainly to the attitude of the Premier of New South Wales (Mr Stevens) the fighting was in vain. Before the conference opened it appeared as though the majority of the Premiers would attend in a threatening attitude, but as unanimity was impossible, they could not meet the Prime Minister (Mr Lyons) with that bold front of which they had dreamed. Some say that the conference has been a failure, but those who were anxious to see the financial agreemant preserved, and the financial provisions of the Constitution retained, say that it was a success. Evidently success or failure depends on the point of view. The public has shown all along that it does not want to see any tinkering with the Constitution, so it must be assumed that the public is satisfied. The results of the conference so far may be summarised as follows:—Special grants are to be made on a more permanent basis to South Australia, Western Australia, and Jasmania. Whether these grants will be greater or smaller than those made in recent years will depend on the report of the special commission, which will soon be ready with its recommendations. It is likely that whatever grant is recommended will be guaranteed every year for three years at least. This should enable the States concerned to put their financial affairs in order. As a second result, the conference has appointed a special committee to investigate the powers of marketing boards and other matters relating to interstate trading. Under a judgment of the High Court it is practically illegal for State boards to operate as far as the control of prices and selling arrangements are concerned, because their activities conflict with the Constitution. The third and most important result is that there will be no referendum on the financial provisions of the Constitution, because the Federal and the New South Wales Governments are opposed to any change. It remains to be seen how far the States will be prepared to go concerning the requests of the Federal Government for greater powers. For instance, the Federal Government would like to see uniform company laws, but with the Constitution as it is at present it is practically powerless to act. Complete control of navigation on the water and in the air is also desired by the Federal Government, and in the matter of sea navigation the State of New South Wales is quite prepared to surrender everything. The future of the film industry is bound up with another request. The Federal Government is anxious to become the sole authority, but several of the States, notably Victoria, which has its own censor, are unprepared to give any ground. There are many other similar matters on the agenda, but as the Commonwealth Government has not seen fit to give way to any of the financial demands of the States, it can expect serious _ opposition from most of the State Preniiers. It is feared that because of a spirit of petty spite, almost, it will be necessary to shelve many urgently-needed reforms. It is a great pity that this should be so, but politics play an important part in these matters, and it is Pot easy for a non-Labour Federal Government to secure the support of a State Labour Government in any matter. Until all the Governments of Australia are of the same political flavour these conferences of premiers are bound to be more or less a failure.