THE FEDERAL CONVENTION

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 540, 6 September 1897, Page 3

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Per Frees Association.

Sydney, September 8. With regard to the adjourning of the Federal Convention on the offehauce of Queensland coining in, Mr Barton thinks that if the Convention is continually adjourning with such a hope, which is always falsified by events, it will fritter away years doing nothing, and will also frustrate the efforts at federating made by four or five willing colonies because of the dalliance of one. At the Federal Convention this morning, Mr Barton moved to refer the financial clauses of the Commonwealth Bill to a Select Committee for consideration and a report, the committee to consist of the Treasurers of the various colonies. Sir George Turner opposed the motion, on the ground that the committee as constituted would only be reviewing the work they had already done at Adelaide. He preferred to seo the subject dealt with by the convention as a whole. He suggested that the Convention should meet again in January or February on the ground that the discussion of the finances would take so much time that it would be impossible for the Victorian delegates to return till the conclusion of the work.

Perth, September 8. Both branches of the Legislature have amended the Commonwealth Bill in the direction of giving equal financial powers to the Federal Senate and Lower blouse.

Sydney, September 8. The feeling of the Convention was against Sir George Turner’s suggestion to adjourn. Mr Barton thought they had better do what they could while the Victorian delegates were with them. When the time came for the latter to leave it would be time enough to discuss the advisability of adjourning.

It was decided to refer the financial clauses to the committee of Treasurers, with an additional member from each delegation.

The Convention went into committee to consider the Commonwealth Bill and the amendments suggested by the various legislatures. As these amendments wore not quite ready, the Convention went into committee 1“ innii.i and adjourned till Monday.