The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-14
AxAUsrRAIAsrAN CONSIDERATIONS
An Important Confederation Which Mny
Develop into n Nation.

An important Confederation winch Mny
Develop into n Nation.
The meeting az the representatives Of the
five colonies Of Australia. Of Tasmania, and
or a part of New Guinea, is most important
because it promises confederation which in
time must develop into nation. The repre-
sentstiyes are all eripent men. even meas
ured bv the high standard Of British states
mauship and the convention IL At Sidney, IN
New South Wales. the mother province. and
the one which has hitherto most sturdlly re-
sisted efforts towards amaigainatlon. rearing
that thus the province must yield lts unique
free-frade principles The rivalry between
New South Wales and lts more prosperous
neiphbor on the South. Victoria. IS Of long
standing, and the two have often been COM
pared as indicative of the respective sue
cessos # the two policies IN tmdo. But the
protection element in and about Sidney Is Of
steady growth. and the participation OF New
South Wales i'm the Conference beginning
Yesterday to frame a Federal government
doubtless presages % willingness O. accept pro-
lection a. against the rest Of the world, pro-
vided internal trade restrictions are removed.
IL is proposed TO give the central government
sweeping powers, based on the plan Of the
United States. Such government can be
operated IN Australia. though forbidden by
the conflicting character Of the South African
colonies
New Zealand thus far refrains from govern
mentol union with Australia from which con-
tinent il Is SO far removed. New Zealand mas
"A native population Maorles superior 10
the aborigiues of Australia, who have been
quite eflectunlly stamped out, and the DiacKs
Of New Zealand participate IN government.
Sir Charles Dixie mentioning the fact that
one swarthy legislator was equal % an oD-
struction speech Of nine hours an eYi-
dence of most refined civilization, and
reminder 10 Mr. Blair should he betake him
self 20 the Orient that stern competition IN
vocal effort awaits him. New Zealand has
in operation some features Of extreme
State socialism. as Government lie insur-
ance-cOmpuisOry insurance for all classes
boing proposed-and heavy taxes on in
heritances one of - per cent. The deOt
and the taxes Of his island province are
heavy, yet the plants of the many public en-
terprises could be sold at any time tor an
amount 10 pay dollar for dollar. Favorable
critics pronounce the country and the people
prosperous New Zealand, like Australia, has
suffered much from lnjudicious and corrupt
systems Of land alienation, and advocates Of
naturalization may be found; but the influx
of immigrants who rapidly come into pc: SEES
sion Of small holdings and thus disintegrate
the vast estates. IS aiding IN the SOLUTION OF
the problem New Zealand desires British
connection chiefly for the defense II affords,
and it is said views an Australian confederate
with distrust lest nationality and separation
from England be the sequence.
There is a probability Of conflict some day
among the many powers that own territory III
this Southern Pacific sea. Germany, France,
England and the United States have islands
therein Samoan territory we divide auth0rl-
ty with Gerfnan-and causes of friction fire.
q1ently arise, as the persistence OF France IN
shipping COnvicts 70 New Caledonia, people
who escape by thousands and follow
vicious hives in British communities IN Aus
tralla. Americans are wont 20 thlnk that
our form Of government necessarily hampers
the Department of State IN diplomatic
movements. yet il is gratifying 70 note that
even 50 high an English authority as Dllke
says our action III Samoa has been Doluer
than the action Of Great Britain, ana mas
not incurred the dislike Of the people OF New
Zealand but rather seems 20 have won their
admiration" The sydney Mail has long ago
said that ii England had been AS stIh over
the New Guinea affair as America over the
samoan, the Australian colonies would not
have lost Northeast New Guinea. Writes
Dixie:
New Zealand opinion. recognizing that the
United States has now established its position
in Samoa. prefers the Americans as neghbOrs
in the Pacific TO any European military
Power, and Australia agrees with New Tea
land upon that point Odes 10 the United
States to congratulate her on standing up 20
Germany were printed in the Australian Jour
nals-one Of them III the Centennial Slaga-
zlne going 50 far ~ 10 invite the Republic to
sweep treaty barriers down
That check the limitless increase"
Of that which was declared to be q realm Of
peace, and 10 promise that
The weak and helpless Of the earth
VIII turn for aid 10 thee,
and admit that the United States by protect
ing Samoa proved herself 30 be the
True mother nation Of the world
The sudden popularity Of the United States
in Australia Is one Of the most interesting
new developments Of our day"
TO revert 10 the scheme Of Australian feder-
alton. In 1853 the FIRST steps were taken,
though the agitation did not extend far beyond
New South Wales whore. strangely enough, II
began. Later Victoria took up the demand,
and now there Is theoretical fedora
ton" with inconsistent New South
Wales and remote New Zealand out
side Measures for a complete federation
have repeatedly been drafted. and England
has been periodically IN correspondence with
the colonies on the subject In 1883 81 u
really appeared az If the difficult union were
effected: but the question whether colony
should be allowed 20 withdraw proved a fatal
! bone of contention the United States bein.
cited 70 prove the necessity Of fOrbiddlng
secession. The present Federal Council Act
/ which II Is proposed 10 reject for more com
plete articles of confederation is weak by
reason Of only partial jurisdiction and limited
| authority, even in the cOnfederated colonies.
/ Dixie thus describes 1t:
The Federal Council as il stands, is little
more than periodical conference Of some OF
| the leading statesmen of SIX out of the eight
| South Sea colonies. New Zealand and the
mother colony New South Walos) standing
out. II forms pleasant little Par.
lament which meets at II and generally sits
till lunch. - The council can legislate iii.
rectly with regard TO the relations Of Australasia
with the Pacific. the fisheries in Australasau
waters, as to extradition and for preventing
the influx Of criminals"
This body also sits in arbitration on n few
other matters. II is OF course. weak affair
yet link in the chain OF experience leadin.
up to real federation. The United State
succeeded in rejecting the articles Of confed
alton and substituting constitution
Canada's example has even more encourage
mcnt. The United States will rejoice in al
announcement that Australia has gatheret
its ports under one government. Then will ,
national spirit and enthusiasm speedily dsvel
| OPP and soon another Of Britsin's daughter
will be strong enough b. walk alone.-Nev
Haven Palladium.