Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-11-17
UNITED AUSTRALIA.
The Colonies to Be Joined IN q
Federation
A New Government Will BE lnsta'
tuted Which wall Have More
Power-A Vote TO BE Taken
by the People.

The Australian federation conven-
ton has adjourned until September,
when, it is believed, the final steps will
be taken toward uniting the Australian
colonies in one government. The move
ment encounters obstacles not unlike
those hat were met with in 1857 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,
and accomplished a large part of its
task. What threatened to wreck its
undertaking is the dispute as to the
equal power of the smaller or less pop
ulous states in the senate. They in
sisted, for example, that the senate
should have the power to amend money
bills, as our senate does, while the
larger states contended for the princi-
pie that the entire control of money
bills should be in the house, as is the
case in England. The large states,
having most of the property and pop
ulation of the proposed federation,
think it right that the house, in which
they have the larger number of repre-
sentatives, should say how money is to
be raised and spent.
Early in April, by a majority OF two
votes, the Australian convention de-
cdied hat the senate should not pos
sess the right to amend money bills,
whereupon the delegates from west
Australia withdrew. West Australia
will not at present enter the federation
unless it's demand is conceded. 1t does
not appear, however, that this secession
will wreck the attempt at federation.
1t is arranged hat the federation shall
he inaugurated if a certain number of
colonies favor it, n more than that
number, represented at Adelaide, have
declared the constitution carried. But
one step more will be needed to com-
plete the work. This will be the vote
of the people. No further action on
the part of the colonial legislatures is
required, but as soon as n federal consti-
tuition is framed, it Will be pronounced
upon directly by the popular voice.
Should three colonies favor it, lit goes"
Newfoundland remains to this day
much to its hurt-outside h Domin-
ion of Canada. Several colonies of Aus
t~ralasia will be outside when the feder-
alton there is first formed. But the
new government will have so much
more power and prestige tina any
single colony that tie colonies now
holding off will all, it is thought, soon
see that il is to their advantage to enter
the federation.
With Australasia compacted into a
single government, there will remain
only South Africa to consolidate The
- =. - l.ue.,It h. lif-
ference of race, but o more difficult
than il was in Canada The French in
Canada were opposed to the English re-
ligion 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 h
Transvaal differ from the more nu-
nervous English in South Africa in
race, but not in religion In Cape Col
ony and Natal they have fused with
the English in politics, and in the Or
ange Free State the two races get along
together perfectly well. In h rams
vaal recent wars and the masterful
spirit of President Kruger have kept
alive, it is said, and stimulated eXpir-
ing animosities. The unjustifiable
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 a large
extent, united the Dutch with the Eng
lish in favor of federation everywhere
except in the Transvaal, when DR..
Jameson's indiscreet act put the fat
in the fire. for a time. But he con-
viction that South Africa must be uni
fled still exists and gains converts. The
logic of events is held to prove the ne
cessity for it. Industrial prosperity
cannot come to that region until the
apprehension of var between the
Transvaal and other states is removes
by voluntary cooperation for the gen.
cral welfare.-Chicago Chronicle.