AUSTRALABIAN FEDERAL COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3534, 26 January 1886, Page 3

AUSTRALABIAN FEDERAL COUNCIL.

(Renter's AaENcra.) (By Electric Telegraph — Copymoht.) (Prom Router's Special Correspondent.) [Becoivod 2 a.m., Jan. 2Cth.l Hobabt, Jan. 25. The sittings of tha Federal Council were opened today, m the Legislative Council Chamber. Mr E. C. Hawell, C'crk to the Tasmanian Erecutiao Council, was appointed Clerk, and read the Governor's proclamation snmmoning the Federal Council, after which various members put m their commissions or appointments, and the necessary oaths of oflice were administered. Meßsrs Servico and Berry were present, representing Victoria ; Messrs Griffiths and Diekson, Queensland ; Messrs Douglas and Dodds, Tasmania j and Messrs Teisteera and Macgrcgor, Western Australia. The Hon. Mr Griffiths, Premier of Queensland, proposed that Mr Service be elected President, and tin's being duly accepted by the Council Mr Service was inducted into tho Chair. During tho course of an eloquent inaugural address Mr Servico alluded to the events leading up to the constitution of the Fedoral Council. He stated that history showed many examples where other nations experienced somo difficulties that were- now being encountered hy the Australian colonies, and instanced m particular the early records of the Netherlands, Switzerland, tho United States and Canada as furnishing cases m point. Mr Servico said ho had hoped originally that tho whole of the Ausfralashn colonies would join m sending representatives to tho Council, but he added the absence of some of tho colonies would not discourago thOBO members who were present. Tho events of tho year ISB3 ■when Australia wa3 threatened with a flood of convicts had laid the basis of federation, which resulted m the Federal convention adopting tho Bcheme for the present Council m which they could discuss conjointly many questions that were not ripe for final legislation. But he waß confident tho deliberations of the Council would carry weight m the legislature of the various colonies represented. Mr Service was warmly applauded at the conclusion of his speech. The officers of the Council were then formally appointed, and the Hon. Adye Douglas, Premier of Tasmania, announced that Mr Service, President of the Council, would be officially presented to Ilis Excellency Sir George Straohan to-morrow morning, after which tho proceedings of tho Council were adjourned until to-morrow. The Governor has arranged to attend at noon, when he will deliver an address. The wholo day's proceedings occupied about an hour.. The meeting of the Council did not attract great public attention, and there was only a small attendance m the gallery devoted to onlookers.