THE FEDERAL COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1743, 18 January 1888, Page 2

THE FEDERAL COUNCIL.

[PBa . PRESS ASSOCIATION ]

Hobart. January If.

Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, apd Western Australia are represented at the Federal Council. Sir Samuel Griffiths was chosen President. The Governor opened the Council. He said that the prospect of other colonies joining m the federation was near at hand, but until that federation would not be complete. The President, m reply, said that the delegates had met not for heroic legislation but to prevent the movement dying a natural death. The business transacted yesterday was purely formal.

At the Federal Council to-day Committees were appointed to draw up addresses to the Queen ; one pointing out the danger the colonies were subjected to from convictism, and the other containing the Jubilee congratulations of the Council. Mr Gillies, speaking to the motion for the appointment of the Committees, deprecated the vacillation displayed by the Imperial authorities on matters which closely concerned the colonies. He suggested tbat before the Island of Raiatea was ceded to France the latter should give a promise that no criminals would be sent there. He was assured that South Australia would pass an enabling Bill next session, and thus become represented at the Council. He also urged the necessity of keeping the federal movement going, but deprecated any attempt to extend the number or power of the representatives.