Australian Federation

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9617, 20 April 1900, Page 2

Australian Federation

THE TIMES' OPINION.

Peb Press Association—Copyright.]

LONDON, April 19. . The. Times urges the Australian •tatesmen and people to recognise the /isdom of the arguments of the Im--erial Government with reference to he appeals and application, of the "olonial Laws Validity Act to the iws of the Commonwealth. The pale* considers that Mr. Symons was nfluenced by parental prejudice in ravor of the appeal clause.. - ! Mr. H. B. Strangways,. at one time Vernier of % South Australia, in a leter to the Daily Chronicle, advises tff. Chamberlain to safeguard all Imlerial interests, and the ■ rights of State creditors before the introduction of the Cbmmonwealtb Bill. He •lso opposes the restriction of appeals o the Privy Council. The Daily News publishes an interview Mr. Raymond Blathewayt had with Mr. Kingston, who declared that federation under the bill would help the grander federation of the ivhole Australian continent with the Motherland. The Colonial Office has published a blue book containing the text of the bill and ofl^ial despatches regarding the measure* ' MELBOURNE. April 1.9. At the,, Premiers' Conference Mr. McLean (chairman) lengthily discussed the question of Privy Council ippeals. WestraliaV. .proposed amendments and New Zealand's action were touched upon. A cable has been sent to Mr.> Barfon asking for certain information, lending receipt of which nothing definite will be done. This information is expected tonorrow, when it is understood the ■onference will be able to arrive at a 'ecision quickly. From what could )e gathered the feeling was in favor if meeting 1 the wishes of the Impe-ria-1 authorities as far as possible, so long as the rights of the people who voted the bill into' existence were jealously guarded.. At the Premiers' Conference stress was laid on the fact thati 'the Impe* •ial Government could, if -it chose, liter the constitution, and the federating colonies' could only stand and 'ook on—a fact which was; pointed lut in Mr. Chamberlain's despatch! to the Premiers. Another report states that the conference will probably unanimously decide not to raise any objection to the Imperial amendments.. PERTH, April 20. ', Sir J. Forrest! has sent a message to the! Premiers' Conference, now sitting in Melbourne, embodying rear sons wHy the amendments to the Commonwealth Bill should be concedsd toi Westralia. He pledges himself to do his utmost to pass the bill if the amendments are conceded.