AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

Press Association— By Telegraph— Copyright. Sydney, Jane 14.

Sir G. R. Dibbs's letter to Sir J. B. Patterson, the Victorian Premier, containing details of his unification scheme is published. He proposes one viceroy for the two coloniep, one parliament with two chambers, and one tariff and excise, joint debt, railway management, lacd revenue, land .laws, defence, and postal and telegraphic administration. The Provincial Governments are to have wide local powers. Tne surplus revenue cf the Supreme Government is to be apportioned to ihe provinces partly on a population basis and partly on an occupied mileage area basis. Certain departments of the public service are to be removed from political influence and have their headquarters some in Sydney and some in Melbourne. One High Commissioner's establishment in London is suggested, and one Supreme Court. The title of the federation is to be the 11 United Oolouies " until the others come io, when it should be the " Dominion of Australia" or "United Australia." Under the Commonwealth BUI drafted by the Federation Convention an additional charge of L 1,325,000, 325,000 per annum would have been involved, but effective unity on the other hand could save the two colonies at least L1j440,000 by reduced interest on the debt, gain in railway administration, and savings in other departments.

Jane 18

Sir H. Parkea says that Sir G. R Dibt s'a federation scheme is so utterly ridiculous that he has not bestowed any attention upon it, and he believes that the other colonies will have nothing to do with it.

Melbourne, June 17.

It is considered probable that the Premier (Sir J. B. Patterson) will ask the House to adjourn for a week to enable himself and certain of bis colleagues to consult with Sir G. R. Dibbs as to the next step to be taken to submit the federation proposal to a representative body which shall be authorised to deal with the matter.

June 19.

The Cabinet has considered Sir G. R. Dibbs's scheme. The general opinion was that a conference of three members from each of the New South Wales and Victorian Governments would arrive at an agreement which would form the basis of a definite federal proposal. The Ministry decided not to accept any scheme which will abolish the local Parliament.

London, June 17.

The Standard says that Sir G. R. Dibbs's federation scheme is prudent, though imperfect.

June 18.

The Times doubts the success of Sir G. R. Dibbp's federation proposal, which it regards as an eleotoral cry.

Jane 19.

The Times, referring to Sir G. R. Dibbs's scheme of unification, states that if the Convention in 1891 had regarded a scheme similar to Sir George's as possible it would not have proposed a commonwealth. BetWeen the two schemes, it adds, federation is likely to fall to the ground, and the cite of the capital will be a stumbling block to the general question. The time, too, is hardly opportune, as Victoria is pledged to reduced freights and a cheap money scheme.