The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-05
UNITED STATES OF AUSTRALIAN.
Federation Now Waits only for -
Vote OF the AntipOdeans.

eueFnttoh Now waits only Tor ~
Vote Of the AntipOdeans.
From the Chicago Chronicle.
The Australian federation convention has
adjourned till September when, It IS be-
lieved, the final steps will be taken to-
ward uniting all The Australian colonies
m one government. The movement en-
counters obstacles not unlike those which
were met with in 17S7 in the formation OF
the federation of the United States. The
convention to frame a constitution for
the United States OF Australia met on
March - at Adelaide ana accomplished
a large part of its task. What threatens
ed to wreck its undertaking Is the dispute
as to the equal power of the smaller or
less populous states i'm the senate. They
insisted, for example, that the senate
should have the power to amend money
bills, is our senate does. while the larger
states commended for the principle that the
entire control of money bills should be-
in the house. as in the case in England.
The large states, having most of the prop
erty and population of the proposed fed
Grafton, think il right that the house, in
which they have the larger number OF
representatives, should say how money is
to be raised and spent.
Early in April, by a majority OF two
NOttal Allt Auelldlldn convention OGClQeh
that the Senate should not possess the
right to amend money bills, whereupon ths
delegates from West Australia withdrew.
West Australia will not at present enter
the federation unless its demand Is con-
ceded. It does not appear, however, that
this secession will wreck the attempt at
federation. It is arranged that the feder-
alton shall be inaugurated il certain
number Of colonies favor it, and, more
than that number, represented at Adelaide
have declared the constitution carried.
But one step more will need TO be taken
to complete the work. This will be the
vote by the people. No further action
on the part Of the colonial legislature -
required but soon as a federal consti-
tuition is framed il win be pronounced
upon directly by the popular voice. Should
three colonies favor it, 1T goes" New
foundland remains to this day-much to
its hurt-outside the dominion of Canada.
Several colonies OF Australasia will be
outside when the federation there is first
formed. But the new government will
have so much more power and prestige
than any single colony that the colonies
now holding off will all, IL Is thought.
soon see that It is to their advantage to
ester the federation.
With Australasia compacted into a sim
gle government, there will remain only
South Africa to consolidate. The problem
there Is made difficult by dffepences OF
race, but not more difficult than it was
in Canada. The French I'm Canada were
opposed TO the English religion as well
as race, but consolidation was effected
there, and the queen now has no subjects
more loyal than the French Canadians
The Dutch of the Transvaal differ FROM
the more numerous English In South
Africa in race, but not In religion. In
Cape Colony and Natal they have fused
with the English in politics. and in the
Orange Free State the two races get along
together perfectly well. In the TrapsvaaI
recent wars and the masterful spirit of
President Kruger have kept alive, ii IL
said, and stimulated expiring animosities.
The unjustihable Jameson raid arrested
the movement toward perfect fusion not
only in the Transvaal, but also in the
rest of South Africa. Cecil Rhodes had.
to large extent, united the Dutch with
the English in favor Of federation every-
where except in the Transvaal when DIR.
Jameson's indiscreet act put the fat I'M
the fire" for a time But the conviction
that South Africa must be unified sim
exists and gains converts. The logic OF
events is held to prove the necessity for
II. Industrial prosperity cannot come to-
that region until the apprehension of war
between the Transvasl and other states
is removed by voluntary cooperation for
the general welfare