THE PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9139, 7 May 1908, Page 5

THE PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE.

Press Association—Copyright. Received May 6, 11.35 p.m. Melbourne, May 6

Mr Deakin attended the Premiers’ Conference and answered a number of questions explanatory of the financial proposals. He said the powers of the proposed Council of Finance were strictly limited to technical control, and it only had an ultimate decision when the State Treasurers could not agree among themselves. He said that he did not think the financial scheme would cause any hardships to individual States, or make borrowing more difficult by placing big loans instead of individual State loans. The Finance Council would regulate the placing of loans to the best advantage. Received May 7, 10.3 a.m. Melbourne, May 7.

From the cross-examination of Mr Deakin at the Premiers’ Conference, there appears little chance of the

Conference entertaining the Com-

monwealth financial proposals. Mr Deakin stated that he would he pleased to consider any alternative scheme brought forward or reconsider any scheme.