FEDERATION.

Waikato Argus, Volume VI, Issue 416, 30 March 1899, Page 2

FEDERATION.

A DEADLOCK IN NEW SOUTH WALES. (united press association.) (by blkctrio telegraph. copyright). Sydney, March 27. Me Reid states that lie has received a confidential cable from Mr Want, the \ttorncy-General, but it contains, or infers, no such st-tement as that made at the Town Hall meeting. He has cabled Mr Want for an explanation.

Both Houses met in conference on the Federal Bill to-day. Some confusion occurred at the outset, owing to the nonappearance of one of the Legislative Assembly managers. The House attempted to fill the vacancy, but the missing member turned up, aud after some difficulty a motion proposing a substitute was withdrawn, and the conference proceeded. The Council complained of Hie discourtesy of the Assembly in keeping them waiting. The Contereuce is still sitting.

(Received March 29, 10.30 a.m.) Sydney, March 2S

The Conference sat very late. Upon returning to the Assembly, Mr Reid reported that he had failed to arrive at a settlement. In moving the adoption of the report he said the efforts of the representatives of the people having failed to bring about a settlement, the Government did not propose to allow the temporary success of a certain number of gentlemen in another place to lead to the destruction of a national movement for Federation. He might bo told tha easiest way of settling the difficulty would be to advise a general election, but there were other methods open to the advisers of the Crown to bring about a solution. Mr Reid, continuing,said he was not uoing to ask members to throw the country iuio confusion. If he had any power at all, it should result not in the punishment of the representatives of the people, but fall on those who stand against them. Mr Birton strongly supported Mr Reid, and said if (he Government bedded to overcome the difficulty by making further appoiutments to the Council, he would support it. If the worst came to the worst and they had to go to the people, they would solemnly and promptly endorse the Assembly's action. The House adopted the report of the Conference.

(Received March 29, 10 30 a.m.)

The general opinion is that the Government will recommend further appointments to the Legislative Council. There are now thirteen vacancies, and probably ixbou» twenty appoiatmenta will be made.

The Sydney Morning Herald raises the question whether the Lieut.-Governor will conceive it hia duty to make a number of fresh appointments to the Council a? recommended by the Government after the Glasgow precedent in New Zealand, and doubts if he will take such an extreme course. Mr Reid will then be compelled to turrender his Ministerial responsibilities, but it regards the return of a federal administration as certain.