The Federal Convention.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8619, 25 March 1897, Page 4

The Federal Convention.

(Per Press Association.)

Adelaide, March 24,

At the Federal Convention yesterday afternoon Mr Barton intimated bis intention of moving for the appointment of three committees of three members each, the Premiers of each colony to be-ez ©JSei» members of each committee, the fit st; commifctee to deal with constitutional machinery, the second fttaftce 7,-;takatiohs and trade regulation, sand tHe third to der.l with the federaVaspectjudicially. At a banquet last night Mr Reid stated he had received a telegram from the Premier 61 QueensTanit announcing that if the Convention adjourned for a reasonable time before finally disposing of the draft Bill the Queensland Government-would agree to bring in a Bill early next session' naming ten representatives for Queensland. On the Conventionresinning yesterday afternoon Mr Barton, moved the following resolution :—" Firstly that in order W enlarge the powers of selfgovernment of the people of Australia it is desirable to create a Federal Government .which;: •■ shail exercise authority throughout the federated colonies subject to. tjhe following principal conditions (a)'that powers, privileges, and territories of the several existing colonies: remain intact except in respect to such surrenders as may be agreed \)|^>V,^ uniformity of the law and administration in matters of common concern ; :(b) that,on,the establishment of a Federal Government there shall be no alteration in territorial possessions 01 boundaries of any colony without the consent of the colony orcolonie3 concerned ; (c) that exclusive power to impose .and collect customs and excise and give bounties shall be vested in the'federal parliament; (d) that tfie exclusive control of the military antf riaval defences of the federated colonies be vested in the federal parliament; (c) that trade intercourse between the federated colonies whether "by< land or sea shall become and" remain absolutely free; secondly, that/subject to carrying out of this and such other conditions as may hereafter be deemed necessary, .the Convention approves of the framing of a 9 ral constitution which shall establisha Parliament to consist of two , Houses namely the States Asßenlbiy' cor Senate and the National AssemUjt^or Qfflise of Representatives, the States Assembly to consist of ,* representatives of each colony to hold office for such periods, and be chosen in such a manner as will best secure to all the Chambers perpetual abstinence combined with definite responsibility to' the 1 people of the States w^^fsliart-tffrve^ chown ! them, the National Assembly "'; to lifer elected by district!? fbfnied boa 1 poj>nlation basis, and to possess th<s spje power of originating fX^Rji^gg^^iipriating revenue or impOTing taxation with an executive -coiwistiug of/tue? Governor-Genel^ft^^^appointel^^y the Queen, anfM^aft :pptsoM*£ r fj?6sA,^ time to time i'':W':^jMinted:^\idr: viser3, and a Federal Stftiirt' which shall alsb'^eii^High Courfrof Appeal for each coloiiy in the federation. - ■ :, -"- „ :

r' ' '"" '* '■ liATER. The Federal Convention resumed tßs morning tfheti'Sir Joseph Abbott resumed the debate on Mr Barton's resolutions . He was glad to see Queensland likely to come in and he thought that the remote colotiySif New Zealand jnight have taken part in the work of the Convention and sent some of her leading; itfatesmen to assist although she might not ultimately come into the federation.,-J ; v j Mr Turned 'drasidered there should be no property qualification for electors or candidates for either House. He thought that the larger colonies might well make a sacrifice in the direction of giving the smaller ones equal representation:: TVitbrregard;;to j the election of popular chamber he, favored one-man-oine-vote. He would settle disputes by the referendum.. The railway difficulty required most serious consideration, and he thought international lines should be left to tire federal authority, but he was not prepared to hand over the construction of local lines because they were closely allied withY the' land policies of the colonies. They s shpuld give the system of responsible Government a, fair trial but if it was subsequently found re sponsible Qg^ve^ment threatened to kill the fedsr#fcum their constitution eouldbe altered. vr"