Conference of Premiers.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 180, 30 January 1895, Page 2

Conference of Premiers.

THE FEDERATION SCHEME. (Per Press Association) Hobabt, January 29. At an informal meeting of the Premiers, the questions to be dealt with at the Conference were touched upon. They include Federation, the Japanese Treaty, Customs Union, Silver Coinage, Amalgamation of the Defence Forces, and Uniform Shipping Laws. The Conference of Premiers opened to-day. Sir E. Braddon was elected President. The press is excluded from the meeting on the understanding that full information will be supplied at the conclusion. It is under stood the question of Federation is now under discussion. This Day. At the Premiers Conference, in order to test the attitude of all present, a formal resolution was discussed that Federation be regarded as the greatest and most pressing question in Australian politics. All the delegates warmly supported the motion and carried a proposal to pave the way for a Federal Convention, the latter to be elected by the people, and their suggestions to be submitted to a referendum. The Conference discussed an objection raised that it incurred the risk of the adoption of ill con sidered constitution which deprived the legislatures of a voice in deciding the Federal Constitution and the necessity of some check upon the work of the convention before submitting a bill to a referendum by having the constitution considered by a second convention or by Parliamentary delegates. The feeling of the Premiers was favorable to the election of the convention by the people. No definite scheme was fornuulated, but Mr Reid officially announced that good progress had been made and agreement arrived at on the main point. The meeting adjourned till Thursday. The Federal Council sits to-day.