AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12487, 13 March 1909, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

"THE PREMIERS' CONFERENCE.

[Pkess Association.— Copybiout.]

Hqbart, : Mircb. 12. The State Premiers' Conferejice is debating the financial relations of the States with the Commonwealth. The main point is the determination either of a fixed amount or a set proportion of the customs and excise wheh should be returned to the States in lieu of the present three-fourths under the Braddon Clause. Mr Kadston (Queensland) made a proposal that the- amount be fixed on a per capita basis. Tasmania 'and South-Austra-lia favour this, but New South Wales and Victoria are emphatically , opposed, while Westralia is inclined to support the large States. , -The-Con-ference seems as far off as ever" from arriving ata'decision.(Received March 13, 1 a.m.) Hobart, March 12. The Premiers have come to an agreement on the question of financial relations, and have drawn iiip resolutions ■which they believe will prove acceptable to the Commonwealth... . -...-■

The details have , not been divulged.