THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2172, 7 March 1891, Page 1

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Sydney, March 4, The Federal Convention resumed its sitting this morning. Bir George Grey took his seat. The adjourned debate on the question of admitting the Press was con- : eluded, a resolution being carried that i the Press and the public should be admitted unless otherwise decided on the order of the President. This practically opens the meetings to the Press.

Sir S, Griffiths took the chair to enable Sir H. Parkes to move the following:—“ln order to establish a secure and enduring foundation for the structure of the Federal Government, the principles embodied in the resolutions following be agreed to:—1. That the powers, privileges, and territorial rights of the several existing colonies shall remain intact, except in the respect to such surrenders as may bp agreed qpon as and inch dental to the power and authority of a National Federal Government. 2. That trade and intercourse between the federated polonies, whether by means of land carriage or coastal navigation, shall be absolutely free. 3. That power and authority to impose Customs duties be exclusively lodged in the Federal Government and Parliaments, subject to such disposal p| the reyenpertbenpe derived as sbMl be agreed upon. 4. That the military and naval defence of Australia be entrusted to the Federal under qne eorpmqpd; other n'eppgsacy provisions, this Convention approves the framing of a Federal Constitution, whi^*^ _ shall establish—l; A Parliament, to consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives, the former consisting o! an equal numbs? °f members from each province, to he elected by a system which shall provide for a retirement of one-third of the members every years so securing to the body itself perpetual ual existence, combined with definite responsibility to the electors; the Lower House to be elected by districts formed on a population fiasie, and to

possess the sole power of originating and amending all Bills, appropriating revenue, or imposing taxation. 2. A Judiciary, consisting of a Federal Supreme Court, which shall constitute a High Court of Appeal f®r Australia, under the direct authority of the Sovereign, whose decision as such shall be final. 3. An Executive, consisting ef the Governor-General and such persons as may from time to time be appointed as his advisers, such persons sitting in Parliament, whose term of office shall depend upon their possessing the confidence of the House of Representatives expressed by the support of the majority.” Mr H. Parkes spoke at length in favor of the resolutions, and was followed by Sir Samuel Griffiths, VicePresident, and the Hon, P. 0. Fysh, M.L.C., Tasmania. Mirch 5 Sir George Grey, although benefited by his trip is still very weak, and not able to move about much. He remained in attendance at the Convention all day yesterday. Lord Jersey, Governor of New South Wales, met Sir George before the Conference began sitting and had some conversation with him. < ,

Sir Samuel Griffiths’ speech yesterday was thoroughly diplomatic, and gave members an insight into a few of the difficulties that may lay in the path of iederation. The speeches are likely to touch more on general principles than on details, in consequence of Sir H, Parkes’ remark that it was intended to move the Convention to resolve itself into committee of the whole to consider the resolutions piecemeal. New Zealand is the only colony which has not sent a native-born delegate to the Convention. New South Wales and South Australia have sent four each, and out of the 45 delegates present 16 are natives of Australia. Sir John Robertson has announced his intention of returning to political life in order to lead the opposition to Federation. The debate was resumed by Mr J. Munro (Premier of Victoria), who was followed by Mr Playford (of South Australia), and Sir T, Mcllraith (Queensland). Captain Russell (New Zealand), made a lengthy speech, atter which Sir Henry Parkes read a cable message from Her Majesty the Queen, wishing the assembly success on this important occasion. The Hon, Alfred Deakin (Victoria), criticised at great length the views of the previous speakers.