240 ADELAIDE ANM) X'lCIM'IY Right Hon, C. C. Kingston the Federal Enabling Bill, on the basis of which the whole subsequent Federation procedure was established. The matter being urgent, he attended the Intercolonial Conference held in Sydney in 1896 to discuss the serious cjuestion of Asiatic immigration, when he advised stringent precautionary measures to prevent or limit the influx of undesirable races. In 1897 the seven Premiers again met at Hobart, and decided on matters of intercolonial and Imperial importance ; and shortly afterwards the second l-'ederation Convention assembled at Adelaide. This important gathering was attended by representatives of all the Australasian Colonies except Queensland and New Zealand. Mr. Kingston was chosen at the head of the poll among South Australian delegates, and also had the eminent honor of being a[)i)ointed President of the Convention. This position he filled with dignity at the subsequent sessions held in Sydney and Melbourne. Throughout the various sessions he cordially supported the conciliatory spirit of fair compromise wherever the interests of South Australia conflicted with those of sister colonies. In presenting the Commonwealth Hill passed by this Convention to the electors of South Australia, he gave it a hearty support, and delivered numerous addresses advocating and explaining its provisions, in this way largely inlluencing the subsequent acceptance ot the measure by the people. It is generally admitted that, ) his statesmanship, his unswerving advocacy, his constitutional knowledge and his conciliatory spirit, Mr. Kingston has greatly assisted to realise the aspirations of Australian federation. As the South Australian delegate to England to watch the passage of the Commonwealth Bill through the Imperial Parliament in 1900. he ably co-operated with his colonial colleagues in securing the accejjtance by the British legislature of the measure in practically the identical shape in which it was passed by the Australian Convention. .Some hitches occurred during the consideration of the Bill by the Home authorities : and at one time it .seemed that the measure would be held over owing to differences reported to exist in Australia in regard to a certain clause. But the energetic insistence of the delegates won the day by impressing upon the Secretary of State the wi.sdora and advisableness of meeting the wishes of Australia in their entirety. On his return from Plngland in .August, 1900, after this mission, Mr. Kingston received a most enthusiastic reception from all classes of his native city. This was not the first time that Mr. Kingston visited Plngland in an official capacity. As Premier of .South Australia, he attended the celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in London in 1897, when, with his fellow premiers from the colonies, he had the honor of being appointed to the Privy Council, and also had the honorary degree of D.C.L. conferred upon him by the Universities of both Oxford and Cambridge. But without regard to his well-earned titular honors, it is safe to say that Mr. Kingston's name will always be historically and honorably associated with that of his native Province. .Mr. Kingston resigned his seat in the House of Assembly for West Adelaide in 1900, for the purpose of wimiing a seat in the Legislative Council in the interests of the reform of that body. This he succeeded in doing the .same year, and he now sits in the Upper House as a representative of the Central District.
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