The record-union., 1898-03-07
Doings Of the Federation COnven-
iiOn al Melbourne.
New South Wales Delegates Claim That
the Colony is Being Robbed.
Victoria Suffers Great Loss From
Brush Fires - Besides Much
Damage to Property, Scores OF
Families Are Rendered Home
Iess-The Queenstown Separa-
ton Movement Not Yet Dead.

VANCOUVER (B. CO, March 6.-The
Aust tralian mail to hand by the steam,
err Aorangi contains very full reports
of the meetings at Melbourne OF the
federation convention. The convention
opened January Goth, and when the
Aorangi left February 9th, no great
progress had been made.
When the convention got down 70
business it took UP the federation en-
abling bill \ long discussion took
place over the Judiciary bill. 1t was
decided ultimately that as regards the
High Court the bench should consist
of at least a Chief Justice and two 9TH
er Justices. The right of appeal to
the Imperial Privy Council is abol-
ished, except in cases involving public
interest. A proposal giving over all
railways without consent of the States,
instead of railways that might be
agreed to by any State, was rejected
Another proposal to include power
to deal with conciliation and arbitra-
ton for the prevention and settlement
of industrial disputes, extending be-
yond the limits of any one State was
agreed to.
A question which had almost resulted
in deadlock when the mail left was
proposal to place the Murray, Darling
and Murrumbidge Rivers under Fed
eral control.
The New South Wales delegates
raised the cry that the colony was be-
ing robbed of it's rivers.
AT last the convention unanimously
decided as a preliminary, to remove
from the bill the sub-clause, giving the
federation the control, and regulation
of the navigation of the Murray and the
use of it's waters from where the stream
forms the boundary between Victoria
and New South Wales to the sea.
Various compromises regarding other
rivers were being discussed when the
mail left.
The Queensland and South Austria
liam Governments have forwarded re-
plies to the recent dispatch from Mr.
Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the
Colonies, on the question of an imper
ial two-penny postage rate, stating that
they are not favorable to the reduction
of the postage to 2 pence as it would
entail loss of revenues.
The colony of Victoria like Tasma-
MIA, has suffered fearfully from bush
fire. Fires are reported from all parts
Of the colony and much damage has
been done, scores of families are home
less.
In Tasmania Chief Justice Sir Lam
bert Dotlson is obtaining a report of
the damage done by fires to guide the
relief committee in it's distributions
Nothing has ever been known be-
fore in the southern colonies like the
ruin wrought, and this year will long
be wofully memorable, both in Victoria
and Tasma MIA.
From Adelaide and Wellington, n. H.,
come further reports of bush fires The
report from New Zealand says the fires
did serious damage. The township of
kaituna, near Fielding, was all burned
but one house.
The West Australia Uitlanders are
greatly excited about the new mining
regulations which prohibit alluviaI /
mines from sinking below ten feet. The
object is to prevent common pick and
shovel swingers" from getting down to
bedrock and entering upon reefns
branch mining Industry.
Victoria's output of gold for the past
year is 112, I2o ounces. Bendigo tons
the list with 200.320 ounces. an in
crease Of S,32S ounces. compared with
1876. Then comes Balmart with IS
910 ounces.
There is mining revival in Queens
land Returns from various gold fields
throughout Queensland give gross TO-
tails for January of 1879 ounces
which, compared with those of January
1897, is an increase of 5,2S6 ounces
The Queensland separation movemen,
is not dead yet. A delegation is to he
sent to England to urge the ImperiaI
Government to divide the north mart
of the colony from the south. and give
each part a responsible Government.
New Zealand's gold export for the
year was worth $3.50 04O, against 81 :
o4l .42S for the previous year.
AT Brisbane. Queensland. the nro-
gressive reform has been formed with
the following platform:
One-One adult. one vote
Two-Australia for the white man
Three - Queensland markets for
Queensland producers.
Four-Adjustment Of taxation accord
ing to ability to pay
F1ve-Land for those who will crl+i-
vate it,
Sfx-Industrial peace.
Seven-Free High School ad,,oo+ +ion
ana technical instruction.