AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 57, 23 March 1900, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

[PBB PBBSS ASSOCIATION.] (Becaived 22,10.45 a.m.) London, March 21. The amendments suggested by the Grown law officers in the Commonwealth Bill refer to the navigation laws and the application and validity of the Colonial Laws Act of 1865 to the Oomi monwealth. k Mr. Dickson, of Queensland, denies B that the constitution is unaltered, but the opinion that Queensland Hhriahee plenary appeal to the Privy ■ Council maintained. W Lord Oarrington, speaking at the W tSty Club, said the federation of the I Australian colonies had been ratified ' by a great majority. Great Britain should not arrogantly order another compact to be made. He expressed the hope that the Liberals would stand shoulder to shoulder, and refuse to sanction any alteration in the Bill. (Received 22, 9.35 a.m.) Mjxboubne, March 22. The Premier states that the colonies have given Westralia every opportunity to come in the Commonwealth. He thinks it unlikely that Mr. Seddon will Countenance Mr. Beeves'action. He believed Mr. Barton's reference to clause six Bhould read " chapter six." The Premier was surprised at Mr. Beeves' attitude, which was wholly unexpected. That was why he so heartily ° agreed in making joint representation to Mr. Seddon. He says he has no doubt that if New Zealand desired to federate at any time the other colonies ( will give every facility to do so. g MB. SEDDON S INSTRUCTIONS. f APPROVED BY LONDON PRESS. ( [PBB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] l . Received 22,10.40 p.m. ( London, March 22. ' Mr. Seddon has instructed Mr, E Beeves to secure amendments allowing ' outstanding states to enter the Com- ' monwealth on the same* terms as the ' Federal states; empowering outstanding states to federate in part, Bay, ai regards defence, use tbe Federal court* . within certain limits, make treatief with federated states. Mr. Barton, replying to Mr. Beeves' request for a consultation with the delegates, said he was bound to obey popular mandate and secure the Bill unaltered if it would not affect the interests of the outstanding statep. The St. James' Gazelle interviewer attributes to Mr. Beeves the statement that he was instructed to actively oppose the Bill and advocate a new referendum. The Federal delegates enquired if this statement wai authentic. Mr. Beeves is annoyed at the pub lication of the interview. He explain that he does not desire to oppose th Bill, except with regard to the abov amendments, which would entail a delay of considerably less than a year. He wishes to_ proceed by friendly arrangements. The Times eulogises the spirit of Mr. Seddon, and proffers support to the determination of Lord Salisbury to crush retrogade oligarchy. The I'eiegraph says Mr. Seddon's message is a political document of the first importance as an ultimatum to a local attempt to disintegrate from New Zealand. The Standard, Daily News, Post, and other papers pay tributesta the colonies' splendid loyalty, entitling them to the fullest expression of the undivided appreciation of the Empire. (Received 23, 1.19 a.m. Sydney, March 22. The Premiers of Queensland and South Australia join in the representation to Mr. Seddon with reference to! Mr. Beeves' action.