New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-24

4 REPUBLICAh VICTORY IN AUSTRALIA
England appears for once in the way 10 nave
been startled out of her ordinary indifference
with regard to colonial matters by the result
of the recent general Parliamentary election
in New-South Wales. The latter has up 'iii
now always been regarded as the most loyal
and subservient of all the great antlpodeah de-
tendencies of the British Crown. The senior
and mother colony of Australia, 1t has formed
the stronghold Of free trade on that continent
its policy in this matter being attributable not
10 economic reasons, but to a desire to avoid
every thing calculated to loosen in any way the
bonds Of affection and of interest both political
and commercial which have until now united
it to Great Britain. The news, therefore, OF
the defeat Of Sir Henry Parkess admlnlstra-
ton by the Hon. e.. X. Dibbs, who is the
leader not only of the Protectionists but also
of the Republican movement in the colony, has
given rise to something akin to CONSERVATION
in the commercial, manufacturing and ofllclal
circles of the parent country.
Mr.. Dibbs was the one leading delegate at the
Federation Convention last spring who distinct
ly put forward the idea Of an Australian repub-
ic-an idea which has great hold upon the
Australian-b0m population OF the .Antpodes.
The principal feature of the scheme OF Fedora
ton championed by Sir Henry Parkes-who may
be described as representing tho Englsh-born
element of Austraia-Was "Federltlon under
the British Crown" While the question OF
Free Trade and Protectionism has doubtless
played prominent part In the recent election,
it is certain that the idea of an Australian re-
public has formed the principal issue of the
contest For Sir Henry Parkes, before the
Federation Convention broke up last spring, had
virtually agreed to federal policy of inter-
colonial Free Trade with Protection against the
world including the parent country.
The presence in the Parliament of New-SOuth
Wales of a majority distinctly hostile to Fed
Grafton under the British Crown, and openly in
favor of separation and the formation of
Federal republic, renders hopeless the prospect
of securing the ratification of the Federal con-
stitution elaborated by the convention at Sydney
last spring: The victory of Mr.. Dibbs may in
deed be regarded as the deathblOw of the en-
tire scheme, so carefully drawn up and pro-
claimed with such a flourish of trumpetS
throughout the civilized world.
The younger generation of Australians have
the London money market has closed its doors
during the last twelve months to all attempts
on the part of the great and prosperous anti
podean colonies of Great Britain while opening
them wide and with reckless liberality to bank
rupt States in South America. Born in Aus
tralia, their loyalty to England is based largely
on tradition and on the belief that the mother
country would always be ready to advance fresh
poclIet-money to grease the wheels of colonial
life. This belief has been shattered by the
recent attitude of the London money market,
and the result is that the colonial-born Aus
tralianS unfettered by the Old-World preju-
dces, memories and prOclivities of their Eng
lish-born fathers, are now beginning to take
steps to transform the constitution of their
country into one more in accordance with the
democratic requirements of the new and rapid
ly developing Australian nation.