THE CONVENTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 6, 5 December 1883, Page 3

THE CONVENTION.

.. ♦ I . (by electric tblegbaph.— copyright.) ■ (redtbb's telegrams ) Stdnbt, December 4. • At the Conference this mo ning a loDg discussion took place On the subject of annexation, including Mt Whit- ; taker's amendment (o the report of the Committee. In the course of the debate Mr Whitaker made an exhaustive speech m support of his motions. Mr Dalley, Attorney - General of New South Wales, submitted a proposition for the constitution of a Federal Council. Its functions as defined would be to deal with tbe following questions viz., Naturalisation, aliens, patents, quarantine enforcements, criminal procpssj - extradition, copy-right, marriage, divorce.prevention of influx of criminals, weights and measures, statues of Companies, and? examinations of marine disaster?. ; It was proposed thalthe Council consist of two members from each colony enjoying responsible Government, and one member from the Crown Colonies. Yearly meetings to be held at time and place to be determined by a Governor empowered by the Queen. •< Three Cokmiesto be able to summons special meetings of the Council. ■ ■"■■•- ■■■■■■'■ tater. It is confidently expected that the labors of the Convention will be attended with unqualified success. It is probable that (he session will close on Friday next. The Committee appointed has prepared a draft" of the Imperial Bill to define the Constitution nnd functionsof the proposed Federal Council as reported m previous telegrams. It is understood that complete unanimity prevails thereon among the delegates to the convention. This Day. ' The Conference hirer :: adopted the resolutions dn tho subjeot of annexation, previously telegraphed, with a few minor vetbar alterations.