Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-05-04
THE NEW AUSTRALIA.

1t will be interesting to Americans to
read of the birth of the new nation OF
Australia and the character of the
Swaddling clothes of the infant.
The Commonwealth of Australia will
not differ essentially from the United
States Of America. 1t is to have Par
lament consisting Of Senate and
House of Representatives. The former
will contain eight Senators from each OF
the States, who will be elected by the
respective Legislatures and will serve
six years This body will choose its own
presiding officer. The House OF Repre-
SentatlveS will be elected by the people
and will consist of one member for every
30, 600 inhabitants, but no State will
have less than three Representatives
The term of Office for members will be
three years. The powers OF Parliament
will include about all Of those OF the
American Congress; bills to levy taxes
and appropriate money, however,
not only originate in the House,
but can not be amended in
the Senate. This body may accept or
reject them, or send them back to the
House for amendment, though the
House may do as it pleaSes in regard to
the request. No amendment not strictly
germane TO the subject may be attached
to bill levying taxation or appropriate
ing money, and any surplus in the
Treasury must be divided among the
States according 10 the amount OF
taxes each pays. Moreover, Parliament
will legislate upon several subjects
which in this country are left to the
States, such as marriage and divorce,
the chartering and regulation OF corpo-
rations, naturalization, and qualitica-
lions for the suffrage. 1t will have
authority 10 make laws which will be
applicable TO single States, to enforce
the decisions of The courts Of one State
in another, and to decide upon matters
referred to it by the States separately.
The Commonwealth will have Su-
preme Court and subordinate courts, the
former consisting of five justices. In
cases where public interests touching
the Empire are concerned an appeal
may lie from the Supreme Court to the
Queen in council. Only two ties be-
tween Australia and the mother country
seem to have been permitted TO remain
in existence, this one in regard TO APP
pealS-with the understanding that 1t
shall not apply TO affairs purely Aus
traian-and the commitment Of the
executive power, including the COM
mand Of army and navy, to the Cover
nor-Generel, as the representative OF
the Queen; his assent to legislative
measures is necessary. 1t is safe to
say that he will not indulge frequently
in practical exercise OF the veto power
by holding bills until they can be sub
mitted TO the home government, whose
diSapproyal may be delayed two years,
for the imperial hold upon Australia is
weaker even than that upon Canada.
The Governor-Generals Cabinet will
consist of seven members, who may be-
long to either the Senate or the House.
The present separate colonies will as
States retain their respective LegiSla-
lures.
The Parliament will. of course, have
the right to levy duties upon imports
from the mother country, as well as
upon those from other lands. All tariffs
between the States are abolished, and
the Parliament will be free to decide
upon the foreign tariff policy OF the
Commonwealth. 1t will provide for the
telegraphic as the postal service of the
people aud, although the published ac-
counts say nothing about it, it will I'M
doubtedly control the management OF
the railroads, which are now owned by
the various colonies.
The Constitution will 90 into effect
when it has been adopted by the Scpa-
rate colonies and the home government.
The colonies on the continent of Austria
lia are said 10 be sure to act favorably.
while New Zealand and Tasmania may
do so. 1t is not likely that the British
government will withhold consent. for
it is very much case of HObson'S
choice i'm that direction.
New Corporations In the Country