FEDERAIION.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXIX, Issue 9061, 9 June 1898, Page 2

FEDERAIION.

Press Association -Electric Telegraph ■ Copyright

Sydney, June 8.

It has transpired that Mr Reid on Saturday sent confidential telegrams to the Premiers of Victoria,' South Australia, and Tasraania; stating that he could not cordially support the Convention Bill and that the prospects in Mew South Wales, would not improve. He suggested a conference of Premiers, to see if it was possible to arrive at any alteration in the Bill which would make it more acceptable to the people of New South? Wales, He also suggested that the Premier of Queensland be asked to join and Sir John Forrest be consulted. He further suggests that the simplest way of altering the Bill would be to submit addresses to the Parliaments of each colony, transmitting the Bill and the ohanges agreed or by writing to parliament specifying the changes and putting the Bill 'in the Schedule. In a subsequent telegram, Mr Reid informed the Premiers that a Cabinet meeting had agreed to his suggestion, adding " Whilst the Cabiuet see no prospect of the acceptance by New South Wales of the Convention Bill, at any subse queut stago of events, the results of the recent campaign show that our people, as a whole, are sincere wellwishers of the cause of 'Australian union, and with alterations the Bill wiil be accepted by a large majority of the electors. If a Conference is agreed upon, we will undertake to prepare and send you, before meeting, the particulars of the subjects we desire to consider,"

% Adelaide, June 8. Premier Kingston replied to Mr Reid's first telegram: "As all the States represented at the Federal Convention accepted the Bill by large majorities, South Australia is not disposed to favoratiyproposal of alteration, and is opposed to holding another convention. Hobart, June 8. Parliament has opened. , Sir E.j A.Braddon said he had no reason to believe that Federation was more than slightly delayed by - its failure in New South Wales, and he was communicating with the other colonies in regard to'future action. ,

Melbotjune, June. 8. Sir GL Turner rep'ied to Mr Eeid cautiously. He says that he is anxious to do anything in reason to obtain Federation, but doubts if Victoria will favour Mr Roid's proposal. He promised to submit the amendments Mr Eflid desires to his colleagues. .'■ :-,,