THE PROPOSED CONVENTION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 447, 19 February 1890, Page 4

THE PROPOSED CONVENTION.

COLONIAE LEGISLATURES TO ELECT DELEGATES. ADDRESS OF LOYALTY TO QUEEN. At the. Conference yesterday, Mr Gillies congratulated Sir Honry Parkes on theyery and eloquent speech which he had delivered; \V ith reference to the reliiarks of Sir F. G. Le Steers and Ban* f> Playford, he did nob think they were

intended to reflect in any way upon Sir Henry. The work of the Federal Council was good in its way, and would have been better bub for the fact that one of the principal colonies held aloof. He confessed that at first he did not feel over-confident of the probability of success of the Conference, owing to the views of people generally not being very definitely expressed, but he held that the situation had developed more clearly since then. It was agreed that they should federate as early as possible, but the terms were not agreed upon. Sir Henry Parkes’s resolution, amended on the lines” suggested by Captain Russell, was carried unanimously. Captain Russell moved that the remoter colonies should be entitled to admission at such time and on such conditions as hereafter might be agreed upon. Sir John Hall seconded the resolution, , which was carried unanimously. Mr Deakiu moved, “That delegates take | the necessary steps to induce the Legisla--1 tures they represent to appoint delegates to the National Australian Convention.” Sir John Hall seconded the resolution.

Hon. T. Playford moved, as an addition to the motion, “That the Convention be held in Hobart early in 1891.” xlfter some discussion the addition was withdrawn, and the amendment that the delegates be appointed at the sessions of Parliament this year, together with the motion, was carried. It was resolved “That the Convention should consist of seven delegates from each colony enjoying Constitutional Governruent, and four from each Crown colony.” Mr Deakin moved, “ That the voting should be by colonies as colonies, and not by individual representatives.” Sir John Hall thought tire voting should be by individual representatives, as there would be some difficulty in getting six or seven delegates from any colony to agree, especially in matters of detail. After Mr Deakin had moved his resolutions, Mr McMillan said New South Wales would not agree to it. Captain Russell stated that the New Zealand delegates formed the same cpnclusion, as the matter was not yet considered by the colony he represented, and he and his colleagues were nob empowered to deal with it. He thought New Zealand might gain much by joining the Federal Council, bub under the present circumstances he declined to support any motion for bringing the matter under the notice of his Parliament.

Several delegates thought as the motion mighbbe construed into an attempt to coerce New South Wales and New Zealand, it ought to be withdrawn. Mr Deakin accordingly withdrew it. Sir H. Parkes promised to consult his colleagues on the question raised by the resolution. The whole of the morning was occupied by the Conference in committee. In the afternoon Sir J. Hall moved, “ That an address be presented to the Queen showing the devoted loyalty of her subjects as set forth in the proceedings of the Conference, and conveying the fact of the success of its deliberations.’' Dr. Cockburn (South Australia) seconded the motion, which was carried, and the terms of the address adopted. Mr Gillies was deputed to summon the Convention, and arrange the time and place of meeting. Sir H. Parkes moved a vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr Gillies), and the Conference closed. Sir J. Hall returns to New Zealand by the Tarawei’a, and the Hon. Captain Russell by the Waihora, from Sydney. Paris, February 13. “Le Temps,” in a kindly article on the Melbourne Federation Conference, thinks Federation is surrounded by many obstacles. It is of opinion that attempts to unify the Empire, which is subjected to many dissolving forces, will be watched with interest. London, February 13. The Duke of Argyle, speaking of the Federation League at Edinburgh, said that in his opinion the Australian colonies were quite justified in imposing import duties on the importation of British goods.