THE FEDERAL CONVENTION

Temuka Leader, Issue 2178, 21 March 1891, Page 4

THE FEDERAL CONVENTION

Sydney, March 18, In committee to-day, The amendment by Sir J. Downer, that all the words after “Parliament” be Quitted, was carried.

The resolution,, as , finally pmencltd, roads “An Executive consisting of the Governor-General and such persons na may from time to lime be appointed hia advisers, such persona sitting in Parliament.”

The reao ution de-Wing with the Jts io ary was next considered. The Ho". H, J, WriX'-n (Victoria) moved, and it wra carried, that the words “ under direct authority of the Sovereign, whose d-ciaiona an such shell be final,” b ' omitted, thUti La i tig the qunmion open to ill - Select Committee to decide. The resolution aa' onat-ndecb rl-’W reads, “ A Judiciary oorisia'ing of the Federal Supreme Conn, which shall conatitute the High Court of Appeal for Australia.” The Hon. E. Birton (IVes'ern Australia) moved the resolution—‘‘That no new States b*> formed by separation from another Slate, nor any State formed in conjunction with two or more States or parts thereof, without the conaeot of tbs' Legislatures of the States concerned and the Federal P.ulit.roent.”—Carried. Sir Geo'ge Grey moved that the iuhabuiaots.ff.eHch,,S!,‘!,o should beg given power to vary its cons itution. Sir Henry Paikea raised » point of order, but after n spirited debate withdrew it. Sir George Grey than withdrew hia motion and moved - bo made in the Forleral Constitution’ v , to enable each Slate to m ike or vary or annul its constitution.” lu speaking to the motion, he pictured the fere-it advantage that would accrue from land nationalisation, by opening up the country by means of railways, and by making the profession of the law free to all classes —This was lost.

Sir J. Bray then formally moved the amendment he had suggested in _hjs previons speech in place of the words “make and vary.” Tins w«s carried, and the resolution was passed as amended. The reflections as amended were reported to the Convention and adopted. The Hon. E. B (New South Wales) moved that the resolutions which had beso reported lothe Convention be refined to two oot»ni>Meee —one to consider iht constiiot'onßl inHchinery and distribuiion of faction and powers, and the other to take into consideration questions relating to finance, taxation, and trade regulations.

The Hon. A. J. 0 aik (Tasmania) also moved thaf a oonupiifoe be appointed <o consider the question of the establinhraem of a Federal Judiciary, its powers and functions, and io report to the committee set up to enquire into ttie constitutions machinery. Thews motions were agreed to, the committees were appointed, and the Convention adjourned (ill Tuesday next to give the Select Committees time to draft their reports.