The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-30
AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

After nearly thirty years or inenectuai
agitation the Australian colonies are about
to follow the example Of the Canadas and
provinces and form a federation The
south African colonies had a similar as
peration several years ago and proposed
to found the South African Dominion. but
the time was not ripe. and. notwithstand-
Ing the advances made. IL does not seem
set to commend itself to the people.
Tho Australian federation will consist
OK that insular continent and It's satellite.
Tasmania, formerly better known as Van
Dsemans land. II Ia to be made up OF
the colonies OF Victoria New South
wales, South Australia, Western Austrai-
ia. Queensland and Tasmania. Tns two
Islands make up an area equal 10 the
United States. but the entire population Ia
scarcely more than 100000. Tasmania has
only about 10000 people. and New South
Wales. the largest colony. has only 1900
GOO. The discovery of gold was made In
1851 and a great impetus was given to
immigration. but the early promise OF
growth has not been fulfilled. and by COM
10 7n0o0,oo0 Ia marvellous.
The scheme Of federation as row prac-
ticaIiy adopted was first formally taken
up in 1856. when delegates for the purpose
met at Hobart. the chief city of Tasmania
The council was only a deliberative body.
whose duty II was TO consider the whole
subject. exchange suggestions and report
back TO the several parliaments Five
times they met IN renewed conference.
but agreement was very slowly reached,
and il was not until 1880 that q conference
Of representatives assembled at Melbourne
20 draft federal constitution. AT this
time II was the intention 10 include New
Zealand. but 1t seems 10 have been found
smpraetioable. although it was arranged
TO admit that eolony II at a later period
it should be deemed advisable. Nearly
loo miles OF ocean lnterveaes. and there
are great differences between the people
Of the two islands although coming OF a
common stock
The internal troubles OF some OF the col
onies have prevented harmony until the
present time. and contamination has never
seemed more probable. The colonies Will
retain their independent councils. priv
ueges and powers and IN many respects
The federation will resemble the United
States Like Canada It win have gov
e-nor- general. appointed by the crown.
and ths governors OF the colonies viii also
be appointed. Trade intercourse Is to be
FREE and all naval and military control viii
Be vested IN the federal parliament.
White the scheme looks attractive It has
had much opposition from those who can
no; see that any substantial beneft will
follow. II has not been altogether accept
able In England. where st was long feared
that a federation wcald tss@i to separation
from the mother country. This fesr has
been diminished since the experience With
Canada has rather tended 10 closer tie
between the colonies and England II the
erect should be 20 bring aoout greater
uniformity In policy ard laws q would
&c a greater advantage bat this viii not
be a necessary Consequence. ard L viii
only ccus about as &, hss done % some
degree in the United States.
TAs Australian colonies are under an
enormous debt. and IL Is feaTe3 thar az
additional parliament woula oxlly add q
tne expense ef government TAat Indebted
mss has stimulated the people % devise
means fer Obtaining greater population.
vast AREAS Of tie hsland are lying waste
hs.-auS~ CO the absence % moisture. and
cae q IRE esriiest coocertea movement
wli ee tas prouos.on Of irrigation works.
Asssraua Is uot q paTsst>e. Il ass fair
" goo8 climate and many advantages, but
Il has $50 many Disadvantages, and I; IS
sleasiux from tas ooon DAYS % Eaany
years aso when extrRvagsntly cvecated
puoUc works w-e uodertskea. haR a
century ahnai q It's necessities