The Federation Enabling Bill.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 104, 30 May 1885, Page 3

The Federation Enabling Bill.

Our cable news the other day contained the intimation that the second reading of this measure would not be moved in tho House of Commons until after the Whitsuntide recess. From recent mail advices it would appear that the Agents- General ia London have been having lively times in discussing the measure. At a meeting held towards the close of March, at which Lord Derby and all the Agents-General were present, over two hours were spent in animated debate on th 9 subject. It was determined that the 31st clause— a new one, providing for the retirement from the Council of any colony which desired to take that step, and introduced at the suggestion of j Lord Derby — should be retained, but without prejudice to the measure in the event of Parliament exercising its discretion to reject it. Mr Murray Smith and Mr Garrick objected to the disintegrating principle of the proposed clause, while Sir Dillon Bell, who received a certain amount of support fi'om Sir Saul Samuel, argued that the constitution of the Council might prove unpalatable to certain colonies. Sir Dillon Bell held this view so strongly that he regarded it as an act of injustice to force a provision of this character against the wish of Now Zealand, considering the large interests of that colony. This point was warmly debated, and in the course of j the discussion Lord Derby observed that he feared the measure would have no reality, I and might not become operative unless New South Wales was included in the federal scheme. This * led Mr Murray Smith to remark that he did not see the right of a colony which was neither the largest nor the most populous of the Australian group to virtually dictate to the remainder of the colonieß. Sir Saul Samuel answered that though New South Wales might not be the largest and the most populous, it was nevertheless the oldest and the most wealthy, and would unquestionably soon be the most populous. In the end it was decided that the clause should stand, subject tothediscretion of Parliament, and no doubt there will be some discussion on it when the second reading of the bill is moved. The above brief report of the Agents-General's meeting shows how the mutual jealousy between Victoria and New South Wales hinders agreement, and also testifies to the careful way in which Sir F. D. Bell is watching over the interests of this colony. Looking at all the ciroumstances, we are prepared to find the Enabling Bill rejected by the House of Commons, on the ground that if passed it would be inoperative through lack of agreement among the colonies,