FEDERAL CONTENTION.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 111, 25 March 1897, Page 2

FEDERAL CONTENTION.

Adelaide, March 22. The second important step in the work of Australian nation-building was taken by the opening of the Federal Convention. At noon the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly was filled with a gay asscmblxge to witness the opening ceremony. Many visitors from other colonies were present. The first sitting lasted about half an hour. After the reading of the proclamations of the Governors of the various colonies empowering representation at the Convention, the work of subscribing the roll was performed. Sir Joseph Abbott, Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, proposed,and Sir Graham Berry, Speaker of the Victorian Assembly, seconder:, the nomination of Mr Kingston as president. This was carried unanimously. Several formal notices of motion calling for statistics on matters of federal concern were given. The Convention then adjourned till to-morrow. Governor Buxton with his daughter witnessed the proceedings, and entertained the visitors at a garden party in the afternoon. With the departure of Sir H. Nelun and Mr Byrne to England, it is not improbable that Mr Tozer, who will lead the House, will take steps to have Queensland represented when the second Convention meets to consider the amendments that may be made by the Parliaments in any constitution the present Convention may draft. This intention has been communicated unofficially to a number of delegates by a member of the Queensland Ministry. March 23. A caueus'meeting of delegates was held this afternoon, when the procedure of the Convention was discussed. It was decided to proceed by resolution iustead of taking the Commonwealth Bill as a basis. From these resolutions will be drafted a new Bill, but as far as can be gathered, beyond a little elasticity in one or two directions, the difference between the resolutions and the old Bill will be that of " tweedledum and tweedledee." Mr Barton moved the. suspension of the Standing Orders to permit of his moving without notice certain resolutions to be afterwards drafted by a select committee. He suggested that the Convention should not take the Commonwealth Bill of IS9I for a guide, although he believed that with certain alterations in the financial conditions that Bill was one under which the colonies could safely federate. Still it was not the best measure that could lie devised. The people had elected the Convention without laying down any condition that the Sydney Bill should be accepted as a basis. He believed it was the people's desire that the present Convention should iuitiate a constitution. No doubt the best portion of the Commonwealth Bill would find its way into the new measure, a result which would be the best vindication of the work done at Sydney. Sir G. Turner suggested that iustead of a select committee being appointed to draft the resolutions Mr Barton be asked to undertake the task. Mr Symon (Adelaide) went a step further and urged the Convention to elect Mr Barton leader of the House. Mr Reid quite approved of this course, but contended that the people did not object to the old Bill being taken as the groundwork, but thought the people of Australia would be more satisfied if a course were adopted which would enable them to follow the alterations in the Bill with which they were already familiar. After further discussion the Convention agreed to make Mr Barton leader, and adjourned till the afternoon to enable him to submit his resolutions.