THE FEDERATION QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 76, 26 March 1900, Page 2

THE FEDERATION QUESTION.

ORITIOISM OF MR. REEVES' ACTION. [FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.} Received 24, 9.50 a.m. Perth, March 23. The Premier has received a cable from Mr, Parker, stating that ha is not acting in concert with.Mr. Reeves.

Sir John Forrest has wired to Mr. Lyne that he regrets Mr. Barton faade such a representation as may cause tbe inference that Westralia is intriguing to create difficulties, which is absolutely without foundation. Sir John Forrest desires to act in the most friendly way towards tbe other colonies. (Received 24,10.5 a m.) Sydney, March 24. ~ The Daily Telegraph, in a leader, I warmly resents Mr. Reeves' action with | respect to the Commonwealth Bill, and j says the real interest of the thing lies in Mr. Seddon wanting amendments 'allowing States now standing aloof to enter en the same terms as original States. That, the paper says, would be a hotch-potch form of Federation, which the Imperial Parliament should not accede to. The Telegraph a6k6 " why did not Mr. Seddon reveil bis objections while the Constitution was under consideration, or at least before the delegates sailed? All along we have been asked to regard New Zealand as definitely standing out," (Received 24, 2.E0 p.m.) Melbourne, March 24. The Age says" The part played by New Zealand can hardly be regarded as friendly by the Colonies which have done all the hard work of furthering the Union. Mr. Reeves understands that his success means the re-opening of the whole matter. Had New Zealand earned the right to lay down conditions by taking a fair share of the deliberations and difficulties faced by the mainland colonies she would have known enough of the jealousies and divisions that exist to make further delay a real danger." The Age asks by what right can a colony that has done nothing to further the federal movement step in at the last moment and attempt to dictate terms upon which the others should unite. The federating colonies certainly desire &i friendly arrangement, but know th# risks of further cabling. That is the reason why they demand the Bill, the whole Bill, and nothing but the Bill.

A SPIRITED APPEAL. (Received 25, 6 p.m.) London, March 24. The legal members of the Federal delegation have prepared and all havo adopted memoranda for submission through Mr. Chamberlain to the Cabinet, defining their position. They state that there is no authority to go behind the referendum vote. The Bill had been subjected to criticisms of a close and elaborate nature, and to a legal analysis. They question the law officers' conclusions arrived at on every amendment. It is contended that a judicious and generous Parliament will respect every line and letter of the Constitution, and also of the covering clause. If Australians are considered fit to make a Constitution, surely their judges are the best interpreters, and more familiar with the working than [judges at a distance. The rights of the rest of the Empire are not prejudiced. The memoranda concludes with a strong appeal to trust the British race, which has neither in Australia nor elsewhere ever abused the confiI dence reposed in them, and this trust is the real bond of the Empire.