FEDERATION CONVENTION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9385, 11 March 1898, Page 3

FEDERATION CONVENTION.

(By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) (Per United Press Association.) (Received March 11, at 10.20 a.m.) Melbourne, March 10. The President of the Federal Convention received a telegram from the members of the Queensland Parliament representing the central portion of the colony expressing the opinion that the federation of the colonies was absolutely essential. They hoped provision would be maele for the admission of central and northern Queensland as separate States, irrespective of whether southern Queensland desired to join or not. Mr Barton announced he had sent a telegram to the Queensland Government, informing them of the action of the Convention in passing laws toallowQueonsland to be divided into two or more colonies after joining the Commonwealth. Ho had leceived a reply conveying thanks, bnt expicssing the opinion that the action wonld not conduce to the cause of Federation. An amendment providing for tbe referrendum was defeated by 29 to 15. The amendment was intended to replace the simultaneous dissolution. Later on in the evening the first portion of the clause providing for consecutive dissolution was struck out. Thus the simultaneous dissolution of both Houses was retained.