RELATION OF THE FEDERATION TO THE STATES. THE AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION. A TABULATED COMPARISON OF Australia. Certain defined powers are given to the Commonwealth (some exclusively, others concurrently with the States). The undefined residue of powers remains with the States. Where the two have concurrent powers, the Federal legislation takes precedence of State legislation. The Commonwealth hands to each State a per capita sum of 25 shillings per annum for each inhabitant. It also protects the State from foreign and domestic violence and exempts State property from Federal taxation. (i) An absolute majority of each House is first necessary, or the proposal must be passed twice by one House (with a three months interval) if rejected by the other House. (ii) The measure is then submitted to Referendum and becomes law if (a) A majority of electors in a majority of States, and (b) A majority of all the electors voting are in favour of the measure. United States. Federal powers are defined and limited, and the undefined residue remains with the States. The States yield precedence to the Nation in matters of concurrent powers. There is no financial connection between the Federation and the individual States. Two thirds of the Members of each Federal House or two thirds of the State Legislatures may propose an amendment. This becomes law if three quarters of the State Legislatures or special State Conventions approve of it. 302 Amendments are made by the Imperial Parliament. No special provision made. Parliament or 50,000 electors may propose an alteration. The proposal takes effect if (a) A majority of electors in a majority of Cantons, and (b) A majority of all the electors voting are in its favour. If the Houses disagree as regards a proposed alteration, a referendum is taken. If the result favours alteration the two Houses are dissolved and re-elected to prepare the measure. This is followed by another refere adum on the measure when it is prepared, and the measure becomes operative if the referendum is favorable. Amendment is secured by the ordinary process of legislation except that an Opposition of 14 in the Bundesrath is sufficient to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment. Thus the Kaiser through his seventeen representatives can prevent change. 303 Adult Suffrage, 60, 64, 79, 90, 94, Aetolian League, 228, 231-2 30, 82, 118, 120, 149, 151, 157, Amendment of the Constitution Amendment of the Constitution (South Africa), 296 (Switzerland), 275, 278-9 Appeals, 27, 154, 180, 201, 266, Assembly (Qld.), 87, 102-4 Assembly (Vic.), 79, 82, 84, 85, Assembly (W.A.), 92, 103-4 Augusta, Port, 176 Australian Natives' Association, 141, 147 Austria, 281 Baden, 282 Ballot, 60, 82, 184 Bank, Commonwealth, 195, 216, Barton, Sir Edmund, 142, 153, Bathurst Convention, 142 Bill of Rights (United States), Cabinet, See Executive Cape of Good Hope, 289, 291 Charter of Justice, 11, 16 Chief Justice, 12, 14, 15n, 18, 19n, Confederation, 107, 120, 236, 238, of Australia, 157-206, 298-302, 120, 183, 235, 266-7, 279, 288 Federal (1897-9), Convention, Philadelphia, 239 100-2 52-4 Defence, 125, 132, 135, 136, 137, Delian League and Confederacy, Denison, Governor, 126 Differential Duties, 38, 49, 62, District Councils, 32-3, 35 Durham, Lord, 186, 255, 290 Edwards, Major-General Bevan, |