PROPOSED NATIONAL CONVENTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1964, 2 November 1889, Page 1

PROPOSED NATIONAL CONVENTION.

' Sydney, Opt. 31. Sir Henry Parkes,. in a despatch to Mr Thomas Gillies, Premier of Victoria, says that he believes the time is ripe to consolidate tbe Australian colonies, and New Sooth Wales invites the other colonies to take the first great step, namely, to hold a national convention for the purpose of devising and reporting: on some adequate scheme of federal government, In order to avoid s sense of inequality he proposes that the number o£ delegates from each colony shall be the same, and equally chosen from both sides of political life, such delegates to be elected by Parliament, commissioned by the Governor-in-Council, He suggests that the number of delegates for each colony shall be four members from the Lower House, two from each side, and two from the Upper House, one on each side, and if New Zealand joins in the proposal, tbe convention will consist of forty members. Federation, it is assumed, would necessarily follow on the lines of the constitution of the Dominion of Canada, namely, to provide a Governor-General for the Dominion of Australia and a Queen’s Privy Council; also that legislative powers shall be exercised by a Parliament of two HonsCs called the Senate and the Honse of Commons.