"RAISING A NIGHTMARE."

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11842, 4 May 1909, Page 6

"RAISING A NIGHTMARE."

CRITICISM OF PREMIERS' CONFERENCE. \

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph— Copyright) (Received May 4. 10.10 a.m.) * SYDNEY, May 4. Mr Mahon, Minister for Home Affairs, speaking at Boulder, Western Australia, described tbe recent Premiers' Conference as unconstitutional and an excresence, adding that the Premiers were reaching out after Federal functions. If unchecked, the Conference might finally grow into a chamber of revision of Federal legislation. The remarks roused the State Premier, Mr Wade, who states that the Conference primarily deals with matters outride the Conrmonwealth's purview. Practically the only question of Federal interest hitherto discussed was the financial relations of the States of the Commonwealth. The Conference would still be held for matters of State concern.

Mr Murray (Victoria) declared that Mr Million's remarks were "rhetorical veneer." No attempt was made to interfere with Federal matters. Mr Mahon

was evidently trying to point out a neAv bogey to frighten the Australian Treasurer at Perth. , Such pronouncements by a Minister of the Crown Avcrc unAvarranted, and Avere calculated fo strain relations betAveen the States and the CommonAvealth. He was AA'iiting the Premier on the subject. Evidently the result of the Conference m carrying a resolution to uphold the financial stability of the tates was unpalatable to Mr Mahon.