THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2174, 12 March 1891, Page 4

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Sxdnet, March 9. The debate on Sir Henry Parkes' proposals was continued by Mr H Jij Wrixon (Victoria), Sir Geo. Grey (New Zealand), Mr A Eulledge (Queensland), Mr 0 C Kingston (South Australia), and Mr W Eitz-i gerald (Victoria). March 10. During his speech yesterday Sir; George Grey was - listened to with great attention. He struck the moat anti-State-right note during the present debate when be proposed to concede power to the Federal Parliament to select its own subjects for legislation. This statement caused marked dissent. Mr Fitzgerald delivered a fiery oration in support of the Senate. A number of congratulatory addresses from religious bodies and other institutions were presented when the Convention met this Morning. The debate was continued by Mr Dibbs (New South Wales), Sir J G Lesteere (Western Australia), Mr J A Cockburn (South Australia), Mr N G Brown {Tasmania), Mr J H Wrixon (Victoria), and Mr J Forrest (Western Australia), when the Convention adjourned until next day.

The following is the gist of Sir G Grey's speech :—Sir G Grey, who was well received on rising, said he thought the proper duty of the framers of the Eepresentation Constitution was to begin with the lowest body upon wbich the constitution was to be built, that was the people, It was their duty first rather to consider the constitution of Australasia, and devise from this a perfect form of constitution for such States as may join the General Government. They could only hope to win over the colonies by setting forth the advantages which would accrue. He had been much | struck with the- account given by Kaffirs to Sir H. Loch on a recent visit, how they became drawn to the British Crown, and of blessings they had received from the Queen, which made them clmg to her with devotion and affection. Therefore he belieyed they had only to hold out inducements to Australasia and the colonies could be made to join a strong federation. -It was the duty of the constitution to get a constitution which would enable the States to correct their own constitutions. He favored an elective Lieutenant-Governor. Both Houses should be made responsible to the people. K they studied the constitution of New Zealand they would find that originally each Province had the right to make its own constitution and vary it from time to time. He instanced the working of the New Zealand provincial system, which gave nil the powers of self-government they coulu desire. They would apparently have some difficulty in defining the powers of the Genial Government. They must not imitate America, by saying the States are to be paramount, and to be the sole possessors of power The inevitable result would be that a time would arrive when some such question as slavery woulddisturb the mind of the people at large. If the majority attempted; to dominate the minority a deadlock would occur, and as parties became more equal on the question, then j nothing but civil war would settle it. He counselled them to take steps to pre'vent the disaster which overtook America. The powers of the two Chambers could easily be adjusted, and this was essentially necessary among the points to be considered. The difficulty might be prevented in this way. When the General Assembly chose to legislate on any subject, then legislation on such sub-; jecfe should be withdrawn from thes States. He thought the powers of the two chambers might easily be adjusted. He referred to the great interest in federation showu by leading English; statesmen who visited the colonies,: and he looked to this as an element of safety in regard to the steps which the British Parliament might take; with respect to conceding our requests.: It was essential to everyone that; officers of the State should be elected.; The people should have the right tosay who the Governor-General should, be. Let them choose him from where they will. No nation could be perfect unleßs the people had every office open to their ambition. To say no man should have such an opportunity was positive cruelty. It would be an incentive to every man to educate himself for the position. He would j like to see the place of Agent-General^ l-taken by officers who have direct access to the sovereign, as the Secre-: tary for Ireland had. It'would be an advantage to the colonies to have "such officers moving in the highest circles. They should occupy the office 'for three or four years. This, too; would give men another opportunity to educate themselves to fill such posts. Tbey must legislate so that the future will legislate for itself, and so that each succeeding generation would bless tbe ancestors who had left then) freedom to legislate for tbemselyps. It would not much matter how the first elections were conducted, provided power were given to alter the method in future* They could not tell what political inventions might be made in the principle of representation. Federation was like electricity, and day by day new modes of administration would be found; lot them, therefore, open the path to all. future steps, let them }ead on, and they would find grateful rapes follow. i Que thing la/ very close in his mind,'

that was religious differences, which in times past had prevented men holding seats in Parliament. Let this federation say, if English-speaking people chose to be federated in one great body, then men who hail from republics/who hail from monarchies, may join us. They can equally advise, for the good of the whole what is; necessary for the- common benefit; Novel these doctrines might seem, but there was much in them. Eegard-', ing the Pacific Islands they must,, remember the United States would! have a great say in the Pacific. What: was the feeling in England when he, suggested common Customs duties for, the leland3? When she found it would mean the payment of salaries, to officers to control these islands she, sent peremptory orders to discontinue; such efforts. He referred to the part' he played in attempting to bring about the federation of South Africa, foi, which he .was dismissed from office, though subsequently reinstated. There; was one who thought differently fronv those who deemed him dangerous, and ■ that one was'Queen Victoria, who was; determined that, the energies of the; British should spread, instead of at- '. tempting to curtail and throw off; outlying -dependencies. He was averse to the creation of a military; spirit and longing for war, He would! rather,seo a small force sufficient for the purposes that might occur, though he did not think they would ever be! molested. If they fostered a military ] spirit atbey would cause the whole j world to become standing camps. For • heaven's sake let them keep the ■. present position free from the mania : which made Europe a standing camp. He entertained the belief that what he had asked for would come, if not now, yet in a short period. Sir George Grey, on concluding, was loudly applauded.