PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 35, 24 January 1912, Page 5

PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE.

PROPOSALS OF MR. HOLMAN MODIFIED.

• LABOURITES v. LIBERALS. Melbourne, January 23. The Premiers exhaustively discussed Mr Holman’s proposals, which provide for vesting, wider powers in the Commonwealth. They were adopted in a somewhat modified form, after inserting a clause giving the Commonwealth powqr to deal with unfair competition between the States. The divisions on Mr Holman’s proposals almost invariably show that the Ne.w South Wales • and Westralian Premiers .are , representing Labour, against Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, representing the Liberals. The tendency of the conference was to restrict the surrender of powers to inter-State phases of industrial conflicts, to deny the Commonwealth pdwpr to fix prices in tariff-protected industries, and to make the High Cburt limit its action in determining what are to be the monopolies ovgr which the Commonwealth should assume control.

The proposals in an amended form ire not acceptable to New South Wales and Westralia, and it is considered improbable that the States will proceed further with them in their own parliaments. The Premiers discussed a letter from Mr Fisher regarding the savings bank proposals, regretting the decision of the Conference, stating that the proposals remained open, and .roping they might be accepted. After some warm criticism, most if the Premiers considered it amounted to a decision not to listen to the States, ’ while Mi 1 McGowen was of jpinion that Mr Fisher was only sparring for time. A resolution was carried to the effect that the conference expressed its readiness to accept Mr Fisher’s proposals, subject to satisfactory arrangements being reached giving the States a reasonable share of the manigement of the Commonwealth Bank.

Victoria and Queensland voted against the resolution.

A motion was carried in favour of x national exhibition, the Customs Department being appointed to take charge.