Australian Federation.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9619, 23 April 1900, Page 1

Australian Federation.

[Per Pkess Association— Copyright.]

MELBOURNE, April 22. At tEe Premiers' Conference four cables were received from Mr. Chamberlain re the Commonwealth' Bill. One of them, under date April 17, says that New Zealand is anxious for an amendment in the covering clause of the Bill providing that New Zealand may federate within seven years on the same terms as an original State. He had replied that in the absence of expressions of Australian opinion the Government would not be justified in making the amendment, and it is suggested that if the Prime Minister of New Zealand wished to press it he should communicate with ther Ministers of the federating colonies. H they were favorable, the Government was prepared to consider it.

The Premier haa cabled that the Premiers of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania, in conference, having given full consideration to the de£ patch, reply that it would be less objectionable for 1 the Imperial Piarliament to amend the Bill than to postpone it, but without disputing the constitutional power of the Imperial Parliament to amend the Bill, on their responsibility as Premiers they respectfully urge, that the viewa of the Australian people given "in the Bill as it stands should receive that favorable! consideration which such a weighty referendum demands. The Premiers think the! Bill already stiffi. ciently provides for the admission of New Zealand.