THE COMMONWEALTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 17 April 1901, Page 16

THE COMMONWEALTH.

LONDON, April 14. Paul Yon Buri, formerly Consul-general to Switzerland, has been gazetted German Consul-general to Australasia. He represents Germany at the opening of the Federal Pai liament. MELBOURNE, April 9. The Netherlands Government have advised that tney will send a warship to the opening of the Federal Parliament. April 10. The Governor of Fiji regrets that he is unable to accept the invitation to attend the opening of the Federal Pailiament. April 11. The Federal Ministers will visit Parliament House and the Exhibition Building to decide which is tha most suitable for housing the Federal Parliament, which will probably sit for four days a week, meeting at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. April 12. The Federal Cabinet had a long sitting, and discussed various drafts of bills. The Cabinet selected Parliament House for the sittings of the Federal Parliament. Extensive alterations will be made to the press accommodation. April 10. The Federal Cabinet have decided that members of the Senate shall officially be styled Seiators, and that members of the House add M.P. to their names. The total invitations issued by the Government for the opening of the Federal Parliament is 9400, including 400 for New Zealand. With the exception of a few specially honoured personages, all guests will pay their own travelling and hotel expenses. The Hon. Simon Fraser, Sir William Zeal, Sir F. Sargood. Mr R. W. Best, Mr J. Styles, and Mr J. G. Barrett have been declared duly elected to the Senate. The Argus says that Mr Fegan's appointment to an important federal position has been received in all quarters with a deep sense of disappointment. It was supposed that the leading permanent positions under the Commonwealth would be given to men who could be welcomed by all. Mr Fegan is an absolutely untried man in official life, and it is evident that in ihis case favour, not merit, has come first, i Nothing could be more unfortunate than that Federal Ministers should dash the belief that in all personal matterifHhey will set Australia an illustrious example. The matter of the appointment of Mr Pegan stands over till the general question of appointments is dealt with. ' April 15. The Federal Cabinet is offering prizes of £75 each for the best designs for a flag and official seal. The suitable designs will be forwarded to the Imperial authorities for approval. The Cabinet has requested New South Wales to take steps to facilitate the selection of suitable land for a site for the capital, and thus advance the labours of the Federal Royal Commission which will be appointed to deal with the matter. The Cabinet having considered a letter from the New South Wales Agent-general relating to Kerguelen Island, decided to request the Imperial authorities to negotiate with France to transfer the island to Great Britain. Kerguelen is of value to the Com- - monwealth, being directly in the track of vessels trading between Australia and the Cape. A proposal is afoot to secure the simultaneous singing of the National Anthem and hoisting the Union Jack throughout the States on a signal given by the Duchess. SYDNEY, April 9. The latest rumour about the State Government is that there will be a coalition Ministry, representing the equal forces of the Freetraders and the Protectionists. In view of the tariff changes under the Commonwealth the .agents of a number of American firms in the various Australian cities have advised that a good opportunity will shortly be presented for establishing branches here. One, a large firm of Philadelphian druggists, has already taken steps to open up branches in Sydney and Melbourne. It is understood Mr See's efforts to form a coalition Government have failed. April 10. Messrs Barton and O'Connor left for Melbourne to-day. The other Federal Ministers are there. Until the end of the session tho Federal Government will be administered from the southern capital. April 11. The appointment of Mr Fegan to a Federal position has caused a widespread feeling of irritation and suspicion m the other States, where it is urged that ocupant« of important permanent offices should possess highly-framed and specialised ability. fhe Prince of Wales Hotel at Nowia was burned down. Two men. named Wilford, father and son, peiithed in bed. Another broke his leg jumping from the balcony. Several narrowly escaped in their night clothe?. Cardinal Moian, in opening a Roman Catholic bazaar, leteired to the Contngham case He hoped that the rounds, which wicked people v. eie tiying to aggravate, would be healed. Catholics ■niched to be on the be^t terms with those who differed from them in religion <• matleis, and to be ' associated with them in promoting tveiything serving the best inteie<-ts of Au;--ti-aiui. Their desue was» that evei} tluug

! should proceed in harmony, union, and concoid. The State Minister of Lands lias promised a deputation of settlers comprehensive legislation dealing with the rabbit pest, which is doing an immeme amount of damage and causing the abandonment of much land in the mteiior. Mr See, referring to the foimation of his Ministry, said that he had taken no cognisance of fiscal parties. He considered that th.3 fiscal question hiid passed away. His only aim had been to get good men. April 12. Consequent upon his entering Federal politics, Mr G. H. Reid has resigned the leadership of the State Opposition. The members eulogised his leadership. At a meeting held by the Federal Fieetrade and Liberal Committee to consider the question of continuing the organisation for future election work, Mr Reid, in his speech, said that the Freetraders had captured the Federal Senate, and very nearly captured the House. He predicted that in time they would secure for the Commonwealth the most sound and liberal tariff in the world. The other speakers condemned the method of appointing Mr Fegan. Sir W. J. Lyne is surprised at the hostile criticism over Mr Fegan's appointment. He thinks that the critics are speaking ■n ithout knowledge. The Adelaide Register, commenting on the matter, says that even the most indulgent critics find it impos&ble to endorse Sn W. J. Lyne's action. The Brisbane Courier says that if the appointment be alloM ed it will be repeated by other Ministers in older to secure support by the worst form of patronage. In every way the appointment is indefensible. It is an injustice to the public service of all the States, a reflection upon the purity of political life, and an insult to Australia. The conference of interstate commandants has resumed its sitthv <« ■with closed doors, drafting a Federal D<_ ice Bill. ADELAIDE, April 10. The final returns for the federal elections do not alter the results. Mr Poynton (Freetrader), who was mentioned as the only doubtful one, is elected. The offioial declaration of the poll of the federal elections was made at the Town Hall to-day. HOBART, Apiil 11. Mr Lewis has written to Mr Barton asking to be relieved from attending the Federal Cabinet meetings. He intimates that it is probible Sir Philip Fysh will be appointed to the honorary portfolio held by him. THE FEDERAL CONTINGENT. (FnoM Our Owx Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, April 15. The Hon. I\ir Ward leaves for the south in the Rotomahana to-night, and will go on to Melbourne in the Monowai on the 23rd. The Right Hon. Mr Seddon may very likely follow him in the steamer leaving fire days later, in which case Mr HallJones would probably be appointed ActingPremier. It is still stated that Colonel Robin and his 300 returning troopers may take part in the Melbourne ceremonials at the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament. WELLINGTON, April 11. The training of the contingent to represent New Zealand at the opening of the Federal Parliament will probably be carried out in Christchurch. The 22nd in«t. is -spoken of as the date of their departure. Forty-one men are going from this district, all of whom have to be 6ft high or over. THE FEDERAL CONTINGENT. The following men have been selected as Otago's contribution to the military contingent which it is intended to despatch to Melbourne to take part in the celebrations commemorating the first opening of the Commonwealth Parliament : — Permanent Force. — Gunners A. M. B. Duff, J. Woods, and W. Grant. Mounted Rifles. — Trooper Leckie (Otago Hussars), Q.M. -sergeant Welsh (North Otago M.R ), Corporal Ayson (Southland M.R.), Trooper Cruickshanks (Mataura M R ). Naval Artillery. — Gunners W. Mitchell and G. W. Stewart (Dunedin Navals). Infantry. — Sergeant W. Kirkham (Dunedin City Rifles), Sergeant J. Searle (Caversham Rifles), Private E. H. Bishop (Hampden Rifles), Sergeant Lonnie (Oreti Rifles). The mean leave f or Wellington on Friday morning by the north expres3. There will be no formal demonstration. Colonel Webb has received a telegram in answer to a query of his, stating that Highlanders, would be accepted provided they stood 6ft in their boots. Though there arc plenty men of the requisite height in the lanks of the Highlanders, very few can get awoy. Colonel Webh has consequently wired again for instructio .*. He says he can find sufficient men who can spare the six weeks if the standard of height is lowered by two inches. From the Wellington district (telegraphs our correspondent) 4-1 men are to be selected for the Commonwealth festhities as follows: Infanhy, 4; mounted infantry. 4; na\als, 5 : permanent force. 8 ; Highlanders, 10 ; Native*, 10. It is stipulated thnt each man be 6ft in height, and of " proportionate bulk." Colonel Ponton will accompany the corps to Melbourne, but hi= staff officer^ have not vet been appointed. Maior M.idocks will probably accompany him. Tlio Noith Inland representatives will assemble in Wellington before proceeding to Christchurch, and tho corps is expected to leavo T/yttelton on the 26th inst. It is just possible that Colonel Robin nnd the 300 leturning officers and mon belonging to thr- Nov.' Zml.ind rontuiEonts who are with him will bo detained in Melbourne to take pait m the Commonwealth celebrations. The volunteers and members of the Permanent Artillery from Otago who veio picked for the Fodcial contingent, l"ft for the noilh yo-terday morning. Colonel Webb not liiMii'i leeoivod am ieply to lu.s fh~t wire to the DMtiuo Office rm v rmng the High] m^oi s. font ami' 1 ( r tolepi.im votci day uskma fui luioiination, Ibe iltaliLuidei'S

■who can spare the six weeks necessary ara anxiously awaiting intelligence. A Timaru telegram states that Ballantyne's Imperial serge has been chosen by the Go- ■\ eminent for uniforms for the Common- \\ caltli contingent. The pergc is made from wool grown in South Canterbury by the Timaru Woollen Facloiy. The volunteer eompinifo in Wellington and Canterbury are also being equipped with this serge.