The Federal Delegation

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 131, 10 April 1900, Page 3

The Federal Delegation

London, April 6. Tho Federal delegates have sent a confidential cablegram to the ] Premier's reply before having another conference. The Canada Club entertained the Federal delegates, manifesting fche warmest sympathy for the Australian aspirations. The Federal delegates, Lord Selborne and Mr Chamberlain had a protracted consultation. The delegates strongly pressed that the Bill would be passed unaltered. Messrs Reeves and Parker were summoned to consultation. They supplemented ■ written ' statements in support of amendments and replied to all questions.

April 7. j The Times, in an inspired article, | says that in some circumstances the Federal Couri would be the worst tribunal for the decision of constitutional appeals, owing to local influence, but that " the Privy Council would be impartial, giving satisfaction similir to the Canadian appeals. Mr Parker's conciliatory attitude has impressed all concerned. A protracted argument took place between the law officers, Mr Chamberlain and tho delegates. There was much plain speaking, •without altering their views. Ultimately Mr Chamberlain seemed disposed to waive all points except the appeals, regarding which the law officers and himself were much concerned as affecting the Imperial unity. The delegates replied that they had no authority to agree. Mr Chamberlain requested a reference of matters to the respective Premiers. The Commonwealth Bill will be introduced immediately after E xsfcer if an agreement is arranged. Mr Keeves, at Thursday's meeting, implied that New Zealand desired the option of joining in the federation as an original State within sovon years, and objected to the limitation of appeals. After consultation, Mr Chamberlain and the delegates generally admitted that New Zealand's case was not urgent. It was decided ultimately to make a fresh effort to induce Westralia to join on terms embodied in the Bill.

Wellington, April 7. ' Ppeakincc at a social the Premier •said that if New Zealand had interfered when the Federal Constitution was being drawn up it would have been considered unwarrantable, and we should have been told to frame a Commonwealth Bill among ourselves." "We required ths open door policy. He especially claimed the retention- of -the right of appeal to jihe Privy Council and wortjd 1 aover be a party to its absK/gafcion*- 1 Ke took -exception ai\^ ,W the T '"2sih, section of the Common-wealth: Bill," dealing with thp voting l6r member^ of the Federal Parliament J s'tTßtfe* this section Maoris would, ]be |>la^'d, upon the same footing a^alietistoi* the natives of Victoria. Thai^m?l<i, be paralysing a noble^^'.'Vua^w® would not permit that to b&tloj: 10 *