THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5838, 3 April 1897, Page 6

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

[Per Press Association*. I ADELAIDE, April 2. The method of holding the committees secretly, and giving the Press a brief abstract" "of the resolutions at the close of the day's sitting, is causing complaint. When the Convention met to-day Mr Barton raised :i. question of privilege that the Press published information Avhich seemed to have been gained by some members of the Convention speaking in contravention of their being bound not to do so. A long discussion ensued, and several members urged the admission of the Press, in order to prevent misleading- statements from getting abroad. Sir James Lee Steere caused some amusement by stating that the term " Commonwealth " was not agreed to unanimous^*, and was proceeding to give details when the Chairman hauled him up about giving away the secrets of the' committee. Mr Reid, of Sydney, said he had had considerable experience of the power of the Press in getting information, and thought thatthe secrecy observed would cause more mischief than if the proceedings were open. Still, having decided the procedure, they must stick to it. The Convention agreed to maintain its procedure, and adjourned till Monday. Tha Constitutional Committee decided that until Parliament otherwise provides, tho qualifications for a member of the House of Representatives shall bo twentycne years of age, and a residence of three years. Naturalised subjects must reside five years in one of the colonies before they can be elected. The duration of Parliament was made four instead of three years. Members of the State Assembly are to be elected by the State as one electorate. Half the members will retire every third year. In the event of the death of a member of the State Assembly, the second man on the poll would fill the vacancy instead of the State holding a fresh election. The committee is now discussing the payment of members. The Judiciary Committee agreed to a Final Co tut of Appeal, except in cases involving the public interest or the commonwealth, or any State or other part of the Queen's dominion, which may be remitted to the Privy Council. This moans that private litigants cannot appeal to the Privy Council. The Finance Committee is within sight of a scheme by which the debts of the various colonies and surplus revenue will be so dealt with that one will practical lj* erase the other.