New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-15
FEDERATION BILL IN HOUSE.
Mr.. CHAMRERLAIN's PROPOSED CHANGE
RELATING TO COURTS.

London, May 14-The Secretary of State for
:he Colonies. Mr.. Chamberlain, rose In a well
filled House to-day to introduce the Australian
Commonwealth bill, which passed it's first read
ing. He described it as a great and important
step toward the organization of the British
Empire.
Mr.. Chamberlain said It would make Australia
an indissoluble federal commonwealth. united
for the most important functions of government
with intercolonal free trade, a common tariff
for all the colony and common control Of the
national defence. Such a contamination the
Secretary declared. much to Great Brit
aims interest as to Australia's What good
for Australia clearly good for the whole
Empire. The Empire rejoiced at this great
free, progressive movement. which was monu-
ment TO legislative competency and worthy Of
all the great labor that had been expended on It.
After explaining the difference between the
Australian proposals and the Canadian Con-
stitution Mr.. Chamberlain pointed out that as
foreign countries were concerned In the new
constitution 1t important that measures
which might involve the Imperial Government
IN the most serious responsibilities should be in
terpreted by a tribunal in which all the par
ties had full confidence. The Government could
not consent to Clause "a relating to the Appeal
Court. because II meant the abolition Of the I'M
OF the Empire and might lead to a conflict of
authority between the proposed new High Court
and the Privy Council. There was by means,
he pointed out, unanimity the subject In
Australia, and the Government would ask the
House OF Commons far to amend the bill
TO retain the power of the Court OF Appeal.
The Government. he added, proposed to intro
duce in the House Of Lords forthwith scheme
10 appoint for seven years a representative each
-sn
70 be members of the Privy Council. and who
would act as Lords OF Appeal. Life peerages
would be conferred on them, so that they would
continue to sit in the House Of Lords although
they would not act as judges after their term
of service had expired. They would receive the
same paw Lords OF Appeal and at the cost
Of the Imperial Government
In the course Of his speech Mr.. Chamberlain
said the new constitution, although in important
resemhled the Constitution Of the United States
than any other. State rights throughout We're
jealousy preserved. In Australia the Senate
would be elected by the same electorate the
Legislature. and the members Of both bodies
would receive the same salary.
The Liberal leader in the House, Sir Henry
Campbell-B Zimmerman. said he thought it
fortunate that the Government had not acceded
70 proposals which had received the unanimous
approval Of Australia, and, he added, the OPP
POSITION would refuse to support the Government
proposals in reference 10 the Court OF Appeal.
All the Australian delegates. and numerous
coonlal agents and peers who had formerly been
governors Of various colonies. present in
me House Of Commons during the debate.
AIter Sir Charles Dixie and others had spoken
tne bill passed its first reading. The second read
Ing was fixed for May 81.