AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8117, 11 April 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

PROPRIETARY MINE. THE INRUSH OF FOUL GAS. FURTHER LOSS OF LIFE. Received AprillO. 9.33 a.m. SYDNEY, April 10. Two men named Farquhar and Swanstcn have succumbed to the effects of gas jn tho Proprietary Mine. A boy named Tonkin is in a serious condition. Altogether about twenty were affected. The rest have recovered. But for the prompt efforts of tho rescue party, aud the bravery displayed by them, the results would have been much more serious. Several of the rescuers were amongst those overcome by gas. There are no indications of tho fire spreading. MR GEORGE REID AT -DUBBO. FRIENDSHIP FOR JAPAN. "ONE OF THE GREAT AIMS OF AUSTRALIA." Received April 10, 9.47 p.m. SYDNEY,, April 10. Mr G. Reid, speaking at Dubbo, said that he stood side by side with Mr J. C. Watson, on the "White Australia" question, but the revelation, not only of the skill aud valour, but aliso of ttie humanity of the Japanese >n the late RussoJapanese War, convinced him that it should be one of the great aims of Australia to get on terms of friend shiip witn Japan. He thought it was well within the sphere of practical politics that they could, while not sacrificing their national objects, recover the esteem and friendship of the great coloured races. PREMIERS' CONFERENCE. THE BRADDON CLAUSE. Received April 10, 9.33 a.m. SYDNEY, April 10. To enable the Commonwealth to take over Norfolk Island, it will be necessary to obtain Imperial approval. Mr Deakin hopes the difficulty may be met by means of an Ordi-nance-in-Counoil passed by the Home authorities, as in the case of New Guinea. This will preserve to the islanders as far as possible their existing laws.

The conference discussed the Braddon clause of the constitution, whioh provides that during the first ten years of federation one-fourth of the Customs and Excise duties of the State shall be set aside to provide for Commonwealth expenditure, the balance after this bad been met being returned to the States. Mr Deakin suggested that instead of seeking a renewal of the clause for twenty years, the States should agree to a fixed payment by Che Commonwealth for a term of years. The conference rejected this suggestion, and urged that the clause should be extended in perpetuity. Mr Deakin strenuously declared that be would not consent to such a course, and tbe Commonwealth Parliament would reject it. No decision was reaohed. The subject will be further discussed today. RESOLUTIONS REAFFIRMED. Received April 11, 12.8 a.m. SYDNEY, April 10. The Premier's Conference has reaffirmed the resolutions that were earned at last year's 1? Conference, providing for the continuance of the "Braddon clause" until an acceptable alternative is evolved. In reaffirming the resolutions it is desired that it be clearly understood tiiat they are largely based on the proposals then made by Sir George Turner.

(Clause 87 of the Commonwealth Constitution Aot, known as the "Braddon Clause," or the "Braddon Blot," provides that during a period of ten years after the establishment of the Commonwealth, and thereafter until the Parliament otherwise pro vides, of the net revenue of the Commonwealth from duties of Customs and of Excise not more than one-fourth shall be applied annually by the Commonwealth towards its expenditure. The balance has to be paid to the several States, or applied towards the payment of interest on debts of the several States taken over by the Commonwealth. The original Commonwealth Bill of 1891 contained no guarantee to the States that a proportion of the Customs revenue would be returned to them, though the desire for some guarantee was prominent throughout the States. At the Adelaide Convention in 1897, Mr Holder proposed that 70 per cent, of the Customs revenue should be returned to the States, but this was negatived. Many forma of guarantee were suggested, and ultimately one framed by Sir Edward Braddon was adopted. After the failure of the Convention Bill to secure the statutory majority in New South Wales, both Houses of the New South Wales Parliament asked for the omission of the clauee. This would have been agreed to by the Premiers' Conference of 1899 if another form of guarantee could have been suggested, which would have been equally satisfactory; but all alternative suggestions were thought by Mr Reid to be more objectionable than the clause itself. By way of compromise the words "During a period of ten years and thereafter until Parliament otherwise provides" were inserted,)

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