Federation of the Colonies.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5619, 14 November 1889, Page 2

Federation of the Colonies.

TASMANIA URGES IMMEDIATE ACTION. (Received November 14, 1.20 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 13. TheHon P. O. Fysh, Premier and Chief Secretary of Tasmania, has written to Sir Henry Parkea, the Premier, a letter which is regarded as expressing the opinions of the colonies supporting the proposal for a Federal Council. Mr Fysh, says that Sir Henry Parkes' scheme is larger than necessary for the defence of the colonies. While there aj>pears a desire to have Parliamentary discussion on the subject, the fact that a Federal Council exists should be remembered, and it is possible to work through it to a broader federation. He suggests that a Conference composed of members of the Federal Council, say four from each colony, including New South Wales, meet to agree to a resolution, and decide at once the best form in which to submit a scheme of federal defence to the several Parliaments, and from them to the Federal Council. In his reply Sir Henry Parkes says that the time has already come to complete federation, and the matterof defence would only lead up to other questions of national importance. Consular reports show the growing popularity of Monte Carlo. The number of visitors during Marcli of the present year is officially returned at 75,000, as compared with 44,000 during the same month vl last year.