THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2177, 19 March 1891, Page 4

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

Sydney, March 16. The ■ Convention went into Committee soon after assembling. Mr Deakin withdrew his amendment to clause 3, proposed by him on Friday, in favor of the following addition by Mr Gordon (South Australia) “ That the Customs duties imposed by the Federal colonies on goods imported from places outside such colonies be uniform and final by the Federal Government; also that such excise duties as are agreed upon shall be similarly fixed; that trade between the colonies be absolutely free; that bounties for manufactures and productions be offered only by the Federal Government, those paid by the several colonies being withdrawn ; that on the railway between two or more federated colonies a uniform tariff shall prevail; that the expenses of the federated Government be apportioned among the various colonies on the basis of population.” After some debate Mr Gordon withdrew his amendment and Mr Deakin moved that after the words “ Customs duties,” be added or “ excise on goods subject to Customs duties,” and this was carried.

Mr Gordon moved a further amendmont “That the power to offer bounties be exclusively lodged with the Federal Government and Parliament,” which was carried. The resolution as amended was agreed to. Eesolutions No. 2, with reference to trade intercourse, and No. 4, with reference to defence, were carried Without amendment. The second half of the resolutions in reference to framing the Federal Constitution were then considered.

In resolution No. 1 dealing with the constitution of Houses of Parliament, Mr Cockburn moved that the words “ one-third ” be struck out, and the word “ periodical ” inserted, making the resolution to provide for the periodical retirement of members, etc. This was carried.

A long discussion ensued on an amendment by Mr Downer to omit the words, “ and amending ” in the sentence “ and to possess the sole power of originating and amending all Bills, appropriating revenue or imposing taxation.” The proposed omission raised the question of the powers of the Senate over money Bills. Sir Henry Parkes said if the amendment was earned it would only mean federation between South and Western Australia.

Mr Forrest having expressed approval of the amendment, Mr Wrixon moved: —“ (1) That the Senate have equal power with the House of Representative in respect to all Bills except Money Bills, Bills dealing with the duties of Customs and excise, and annual Appropriation Bills, and these it shall be entitled to reject but not amend; (2) That an Act of the union shall provide that it shall not be lawful to include in the annual Appropriation Bill any matter or thing other than votes of supply for the ordinary services of the year,” Mr Monro in a very warm speech said the proposal was that Victoria and New South Wales should have two votes against four in the Senate. He wanted to know whether 900,000 people were to be allowed to rule two millions. The proposal was monstrous. Western Australia and Tasmania would have double the voting powers of New South Wales, He thought nothing was more out of the question than the proposal to give the smaller colonies the power of imposing taxation. They must limit power. What was wanted was Federation which would carry them on as well as the respective colonies were doing at present. If they were going to form a constitution which would be unjust, they might as well stop now and go no further. Mr Munro’s warmth was deprecated by Captain Russell, Sir T. Mcllraith, Hon. A. Douglas and others. March 17.

The most serious note of discord yet struck ac the Convention was sounded by the Premier of Victoria yesterday and the discussion waxed dangerously hot. Lieut.-Oolonel Smith upheld his colleague, while Sir T. Mcllwraith led the opponents. Captain Russell endeavored to pacify the delegates, regretting that the Conference had not adjourned at the usual hour and given members a chance of cooling down. During the early part of the afternoon the business proceeded quietly, and it was only as the plosing hour approached that the air became sultry. After a long discussion Sir John Downer and Mr Wrixon agreed to withdraw their amendments, Sir John Downer’s first amendment to omit the words “and amending” in the sentence “ and to possess the sole right of originating and amending all Bills appropriating revenue or imposing taxation ” was carried; Resolution No. 1, of the second half of the resolutions, was passed as amended, and the Convention adjourned till to-morrow.