The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-16
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
The New System of Government Pat
termed After the United States.

SAN FRANCISCO, May I5.-Australian advices
per steamship Alameda give the synopsis of the
draft OF the constitution for the proposed fcdcr
alton of Australian colonies, which was pre-
pared by the convention that closed its sittings
April 9. The constitution will be submitted to
vote OF the people, and when accepted by the
three colonies it stands, for they cannot
amend ii, il viii be sent to the imperial parlia-
ment. II ratified BY that body, Queen Victoria
will proclaim day when the commonwealth of
Australia is to be established, and will also ap-
point governor general. On the latter's arrival
the australians will proceed 10 form a ministry
and elect a parliament.
The constitution provides that the federation
shall be known as the commonwealth of Aus
tralia, and the colonies shall be called states.
The legislature shall consist of Senate and
House of Representatives to be called the par
lament and shall be in session at least once
every year. The governor general shall be ap-
pointed by the queen at q salery of not less
than $1,000. The Senate is to be composed of
eight members from each state, chosen by the
houses of parliament of each state, and are TO
be chosen for six years, one-haH of the mem
bers to retire every three years. The president
of the Senate is 10 be in all cases
entitled TO a vote, and when the vote is tie the
question is to pass. The representatives are
to be chosen by the people of the several states,
each state TO have one representative for every
5000 people, but the minimum number of rep
resenfatiyes for each state shall be four. The
speaker is to be elected by the house, and when
the vote is tie the speaker is to have the cast
ing vote. The life of the House of Representa-
tives is three years. The members of both
houses are to receive an allowance Of E50o per
annum, and the usual penal clauses are pro-
vided TO meet cases where a member is under
disability to sit. No senator or representative
is to hold an Office of profit under the crown,
but ministers are not TO be compelled to offer
themselves for reelection.
The powers of parliament in regard to law
making include regulation of trade, commerce
and coinage, and in general all matters delegat-
ed to congress by the constitution OF the United
States. Appropriation or taxation bills must be
sent down BY message from the governor gen.
eral, who Is TO assent to all measures and TO
have the power of reserving any bills for the
queens approval. The governor is to be advised
by an executive council of ministers not exceed
ing seven in number, who are to be members of
the federal executive council. and the queens
ministers of state or commonwealth ministers
may sit in either house of parliament,
and fi5,000 per annum is set apart for
payment of their salaries until other provision
is made. The supreme court is to consist of q
chief Justice and not less than four OF her judges
all TO be appointed by parliament and hold Office
during good behavior. As soon uniform
tariff has been imposed, intercolonial free trade
is to prevail among the colonies. The revenue
collected is to be applied in defraying the ex
penses OF the federal government, and the
federal parliament is to decide in what manner
the surplus is to be divided. The federal par
lament may make provision for consolidating
the whole or any part of the debts OF the states.
The states are TO retain all the powers which
they now possess, and which are not delegated
TO the federal parliament.