CONFERENCE OF STATE PREMIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81864, 13 October 1906, Page 3

CONFERENCE OF STATE PREMIERS.

THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS.

Melboueni, October 12. The inter-State Conference was continued.

Dueuuion took place on Sir John Forrest's proposals ia respect to the financial relations of the Commonwealth with the States in place of the Braddon clause.

Several amendments were made, and as amended the proposal* provide that, subject to fixed payments to the States, the Commonwealtn may impose additional customs and excise duties for specific purposes, and may specifically appropriate, retain, and earmark the whole of the revenue derived from such duties. If any surplus remains over after providing for such specific purposes, three-fourths of such surplus, if any, to be annually returned to the States per capita. Sir John Forrest's proposal that these arrangements should continue for ten years from December, 1910, to date of expiry of the Braddon clause, and thereafter until the Federal Parliament provides otherwise, was struck out.

FEDERAL TREASURERS SCHEME APPROVED.

Received 13th, 1.5 a.m. Melbourne, October 12

The Inter-State Conference unexpectedly completed its business. It rwolved thai, subject to the adoption of resolutions previously carried relating to fixed payments, the States' Conference expresses general approval of Sir J. Forrest s scheme to transfer the State debts, and that the matter stand over for a special confeience to settle the details.