The Federal Convention.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8618, 24 March 1897, Page 2

The Federal Convention.

(Per Press Association.)

Adelaide, March 22.

A caucus meeting of delegates was held this afternoon when the procedure of the Convention was discussed. It was decided to proceed by resolution instead of taking the Commonwealth Bill as a basis From these resolutions will be drafted a new Bill, but as far as can be gathered, beyond a little more elasticity in one or two directions the difference between the resolutions and the old Bill will be that of tweedledum and tweedledee. .

March 23.

The Federal Convention resumed this morning. Mr Barton moved the suspension of the Standing Orders to permit of moving without notice certain resolutions to be afterwards drafted by the Select Committee. He suggested that the Convention should take the Commonwealth Bill of 1891 for a guide or master, although he believed with certain alterations in its financial conditions the Bill was one on which the colonies could safely federate with, still it was not the best measure that could be desired. After some discussion it was decided to make Mr Mr Barton leader of the Convention, and an adjournment was taken until the afternoon to enable him to submit resolutions.