PREMIERS'CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1342, 20 January 1912, Page 5

PREMIERS'CONFERENCE.

> THE QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. By Teleffrapl—Press Association—Copyright J Melbourne, January 19. Tho Premiers' Conference resolved in favour of tho appointment of a cominit- | tee of leading railway engineers to report on tho question of a uniform railway franco between tlio capital cities, and tho j cost of the conversion. New South Wal«3 and Western Ausl_ tralia voted against tho proposal, on the ground that the report was unlikely, in view of tho differing claims of tho various States and tho Commonwealth, to bring nearer a solution of tho question of securing uni r ormity. ' 3 The matter of assistance being given to i immigrants was referred to tho heads of ) tho Stato Immigration Department. It was further resolved to ask the Commonwealth Government to provide foT 25,000 assisted passengers and immigrants yearly, payment of tho cost of transportation to )x> on a uniform basis; tho States to eelect and place the immigrants, with tho right to supplement tho number of assisted passeigai's allotted. The conference appointed Dr. Ashfciir- -. ton Thompson a Royal Commission to inquire and report on tho standardisation of food products of trie various States. Tho confei-euce decided to ask the Commonwealth to pay 3£ per cent, interest on transferred properties. . THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE STATES. t (Ecc. January 20, 1.5 a.m.) Melbourne, January 19. » The Premiers discussed Mr. Holman's 1 proposal for vesting in the Commonf wealth wider powers. Mr. Holman said ) ho was opposed to handing over domestic commerce and favoured giving power to i deal with the new protection, industrial - arbitration, and tho nationalisation or controi of inter-State monopolies. If States permitted internal monopolies they should stow in their own gravy. The discussion was adjourned until Mr. Holman's draft Bill was circulated.