THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2298, 17 March 1898, Page 22

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION .

Melboubne, March 8. The Federal Convention has adopted an amendment that the Federal Parliament should legislate in the matter of invalid and old age pensions. The discussion on the bill ia expected to close on Thursday. Marcb 9. The Federal Convention discussed the question of deadlocks, and agreed to a proposal in the bill for a consecutive dissolution of both chambers in event of a deadlock occurring. March 10. At the Federal Convention the retention of the principle of consecutive dissolution, being a small States victory, raised the ire of Mr Reid, who declared that if a further proposal to s'rikoont the power of dissolving both Ch'.rn'iers siinultaneoudy were carried it would be the last straw. March 11. The president (Mr C. C. Kingston) of the Federal Convention has received a telegram from tho members o£ the Queensland Parliament representing tha central portion of the colony €Xcreßsicg the opinion that a federation of the co3osiieg ia absolutely essential. Th?y hope that provision will be made for the admission of Central and Northern Qaesnsland as separate States, irrespective r.f whether Southern Queensland desires to join or cot. Mr E. B-irtor (New South Wales) anBonsced that he had sent a telegram to ths Queens Hud Government informing them o£ tha action of the Convention ia pas&ins? a clause to allow Queensland to be diviSed into two or more colonies after joining the Commonwealth. He had received a reply conveying thanks, bat expressing the opinion that the Convention's action would not conduce to the causa of Federation The amendment in the Commonwealth BUI providing for a referendum was defeated by 29 to 15 This amendment waa intended tr> rf place simnltßnpcrs dissolution of both Houses. Mr Raid support e 3 the amendment. Later in the evenirg the first portion of ths clause, providing for consecutive dissolutions, was struck out ; thus ths simultaneous dissolution ot both Houses is retained. The Convention has resolved to continue sn appeal to ths Privy Conno'.l until the Federal Parliament otherwise dpcidcs. March 13. It is wpoaed to take a referendum vote nn the Federal Constitution in tha middle of: May io t:iß fiva colonies simultaneously. IJessis B irton and O'Connor srß arranging a. Ryrlncy organisation to stump the country advecatieg the constitution.