Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/414

 406] FOBEIGN HISTOEY.

House introduced amendments requiring one-fourth of the electors to vote in its favour, and providing that New South Wales should not join the federation until Queensland did so.

The Assembly, on March 22, after an all night's sitting, rejected the council's amendments. The differences between the two Houses was sought to be settled by a conference, which was held on March 28. After a lengthened discussion no agreement was reached. Mr. Eeid thereupon asked the Governor to make such a number of appointments to the council as would ensure a majority for the bill. The Acting Governor consenting, twelve new members were added to the Legislative Council (April 9).

The Federal Enabling Bill was passed by the Legislative Council without amendments on April 19, and Parliament was immediately after prorogued.

The Legislative Council passed the bill for advancing 200,000Z. to distressed agriculturists on March 25. Mr. Want, the Attorney-General, who was the principal opponent of the Federal Bill, finding his position incompatible with the policy of the Ministers, resigned office on April 18.

Lord Hampden left Sydney on March 5. Earl Beauchamp, his successor, arrived May 18.

One hundred New South Wales Lancers embarked for England on March 3, to be trained with British cavalry.

A public meeting was held at Sydney on March 6, presided over by Sir George Dibbs, ex-Prime Minister, at which resolu- tions were passed condemning the Federal Bill.

Cardinal Moran made a violent speech on receipt of the news of the disturbances in Samoa, strongly denouncing the British and American policy in the islands. He declared that "the aggression of the United States — who wanted to make an American lake of the Pacific — was a danger to the Empire." The moving cause of the archbishop's anger, as it appeared afterwards, was an alleged attack by the united British and American sailors on a Eoman Catholic church, which was filled with the partisans of Mataafa.

The Prime Minister sent a message by cable to the Imperial Government protesting, in the name of the Australasian Premiers, against the proposed new duties on wine. He declared it to be "an unfortunate time" for such a measure, which was " at variance with the new disposition of the colonies in favour of a preference to British manufactures/ '

The Minister of Lands, after a tour of inspection in the interior, reported the prevalence of drought in the agricultural districts. Nearly all the stock had perished in some parts of the colony. The pastoralists asked for a reduction of rents, with larger holdings and a longer tenure.

The voting for the Federal Bill was 107,274 for, and 72,701 against, showing an increased majority and a stronger popular interest for the measure.