Congratulations to Council.

The President: I have received, in my position of President of this Council, several communications from various public bodies. One is from the Australian Natives' Association, which has its heads quarters in Ballarat, Victoria, on behalf of all the branches, sending their congratulations at the first meeting of the Federal Council, and wishing their deliberations every success. I may say this particular body has been one of the principal factors in the movement for federation. I have also received a communication from the secretary to the Marriage Law Reform Association, bringing under notice certain desirable action on the part of this Council. Another communication is from the chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary to the Latrobe Chamber of Commerce expressing their sympathy with the meeting and objects of the Council. These documents I propose, as President, to acknowledge, and leave them to the Council to deal with as it in its wisdom deems fit.