NO DECISION REACHED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18333, 27 February 1934, Page 7

NO DECISION REACHED

AUSTRALIAN PROBLEMS , CONFERENCE l STATES’ PLANS SHELVED (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (Received Feb. 27, noon.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 17. After discussions extending over more than a week, the question of the financial relations of the Commonwealth and the Statok was finally shelved by the conference on constitutional revision. The decision was that no useful purpose could be served at present by a further discussion of the States’ proposals. The Commonwealth and larger States, however, agreed that it is proper to make special provision • for the smaller States, and-that whatever relief finally is decided upon in tlie light'of the commission’s report shall 1 ! be placed on a more permanent basis than at present. . A. committee representing all Governments will consider and report on tho desirability bf constitutional amendments affecting excise and trade among the States and territories.

It has been expected that, as..a result of the recommendations "of ■ the committee‘ of the Premiers’ Conference would urge an amendment to section ,'92 of the constitution to define clearly the rights of marketing boards to make levies or impose' a tax on commodities under thoir control.

Mr. B. S. Stevens will strongly oppose any suggestion that the States be given additional taxing powers. The .South ■ Australian Premier, Mr. Butler, commenting on what he termed the failure of the Premiers’ conference, said: “The matter cannot be permitted to rest where it is. The fight for true federalism must be continued relentlessly. The signs of the disintegration of tile Commonwealth, which the five State Premiers tried to cheek, will continue.’’