FEDERATION CONVENTION IN SYDNEY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9032, 14 March 1891, Page 2

FEDERATION CONVENTION IN SYDNEY.

DELEGATES IS COMMITTEE. [PER PUKSB ASSOO'LMTON'. | Sydney, March 13. — On the Convention meeting, Sir H. Parkes replied at some Innp^li, m«i (.lio.delc2atfi c « then went infn Committee, and fook into consideration Clause 1, providing that powers, privileges, and territorial rights of the several existing colonies shall remain intact, except in respect of such surrenders as may be agreed upon as necessary, and incidental to the power aud authority of the Federal Government. Mr J. "" M. Mcßossan, (Queensland) began the discussion, lio thought the colonies had the powers and privileges which would not agree with the Federal Constitution. The first thing required would be to assimilate the constitutions of the various colonies with Federal Constitution. The introduction of a clause directing that no new States should b^ created without the consent of the colonies interested would be a sufficient guarantee of territorial rights. The question of providing constitutions for the various colonies gave rise to a discussion concerning the nominee Houses. •Sir G. Grey strongly opposed the nominee Chamber. There could not be true freedom while such institutions existed, and he failed to see such constitutions would leave New Zealand a loophole to come in when she thoroughly understood the subject. Mr Playford said they did not require the assistance of a Federal Parliament to alter their own constitution. They could do it themselves. Sir P. Jennings thought a Federal Parliament should not have power to dictate alteration of the constitution of any colony. He could not see why I if a colony desired a nominee house it should not have it. Mr Cockburn wished to sec the abolition of nominee houses. Mr Baker called the attention of tho Convention to tho fact that the discussion was irrelevant to the clause. The debate, however, again drifted oil! as Jo what was tho best form to proceed in framing a Constitution. Several speakers wore in favour of passing the resolutions in somo shape, and then appointing a Committee to draft a bill embodying the views expressed during the debate. Sir J. C. Bray (South Australia) dis agreed with tho idea that Sir G. Grey's views about nominee chambers were not appropriate to the occasion, and expressed a belief that if the people and Parliament of New Zealand strongly desired to abolish their nominee House, the other colonies would support them to the utmost. Mr Dibbs said there was no material in the resolutions to work on. He was prepared to move after the settling of clause 1 that a draughtsman should assist the Committee by drawing up a bill. Mr Kingston suggest that they should take the resolutions as a framework, and such other information as tho Convention may deem fit beforo they sent for a draughtsman. Clause I was then carried, and it was decided that a resolution should be taken before No. 2. This provides that power and authority to impose Customs duties should be exclusive y lodged with the Federal Government and Parliament, and Hibje'it to such disposal of revenue hence derived as shall be agreed upon. Mr Dcakin moved to amend this by thu insertion of the words " and exoi&o " uf tor the wor.l " Customs." Progress was reported, and leave given to sit again on Monday.