New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-15
AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF CAR
RYING IT OUT

U.
of Australian federation has become hndered
nv the hestating policy OF New South Wales.
where the coonists are found equally divided
respecting the merits and dement's OF the Aus
traljan Commonwealth BILL the union OF the An
tipodean States at an early period Is inevitaDe.
There Is no dispute respecting the necessity TOT
federation: the real trouble originates with the
financial basis Of the proposed commonwealth
Four OF the five States-Victoria- South AUS
tra,,a Western Australia and Tasmania-obtain
their respective revenues from excise and Gus
toms duties but in New South Wales these nave
been partially abolished. and income and lana
taxes substituted in their place. Under red
eral government the four protectionist colonies
would lose considerable portion OF their an
nual revenue by the abolition Of the border
duties; consequently a federal tariff or some
what prohibitive nature would become necessary
except in New South Wales. where there are no
border duties to be repealed. But as New South
Wales could not be excluded from the operation
Of the federal tariff II is proposed that she
should have a proportionate share OF any sur
plus. after defraying the cost of the feoerai
government, returned to her. AT hrst sient tnis
appears a very simple matter. but pe1ore
surplus can be declared, not only must 'he
cost OF the federal government be mace gooo'
but also the deficient revenues OF the loui
protectionist States. and this would be largely
at the expense Of New South wales, where the
land and income taxes constitute the ieaoihs
sources Of revenue In other words Australian
federation. the lines OF the existine Co'n-
monweelth bill. signifies heavily increased taxa
ton in the parent colony. and diminished hscaI
burdens in the others.
Apart from the financial question. tbs general
framework Of the proposed federal constitution
has been too hurriedly constructed. There has
been a slavish imitation Of that OF the united
States without making suf1cien: allowance for
a difference Of circumstances. The Australian
colonies have each grown and waxed fat by
their -arate exertions, and become accus-
toned to the exercise OF supreme authority
within the limits Of their respective territories
practically enjoying all the privileges ana IN
fuence OF independent States 1t Is only nat
ural that there should exist an unwillingness TO
surrender these advantages. such as they are
and allow each colony to become reduced TO the
status OF a mere province.
At the same time numerous interests OF
more or less antagonistic character have sprung
up, occasioning in .ercolonial rivalries and Jeai-
ous,es Of every description Each colony has its
own administrative system and fiscal policy
both In New South Wales being opposed to what
IN the older colony for instance, having become
removed from political control. as is the man
aeement of the State railways and other Iublic
departments Hence the hesitation OF the New
South Wales colonists TO accept the proposed
federal constitution in its present FORM although
ranv OF It's features have secured their unCuali-
fed approval.
As accepted by Victoria, South Australia and
Tasmania-the popular vote In Western Aus
tralia has yet to be taken-the proposed com
monwealth vests the legislative authority In the
Queen. who will be represented by Governor
General and in two houses Of Parliament. the
members of each being elected G.. the basis or
manhood suffrage. each elector having only one
vote. Each State. or colony. will return six
members TO the Senate each elected for six
vears: the Hous. Of Representatives. consisting
NJ sixty-four members, each elected for three
wears and receiving f400 per annum. OF whom
+wen " four will be elected by New South Wales
twenty-three by Victoria. seven by South Aus
+ralia and five each by Western Australia and
Tasmania
POWER OF THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.
The federal Parliament will have full power
10 make laws with respect TO the regulation OF
trade and commerce with other countries. and
among the several States; taxation. but not 80
as TO discriminate between States or parts or
States, OF between persons or things passing
from one State TO another; bounties on the pro-
ducton or export Of goods; borrowing money On
the public credit Of the commonwealth postal
telegraphc. telephone and other like services;
the naval and military defence of the common
wealth. navigation and shipping. The powers
contained In this subsection, and those relating
to trade and commerce. under this constitution
shall not abridge the rights OF State or Its
citizens 10 the reasonable use Of the water OF
rivers for water conservation and irriga
ton; lighthouses. nghtships beacons and
buoys: astronomical and meteorological OBJ
servations: quarantine;' hsherles IN Aus
traan waters beyond territorial limits CEN
sus and statistics; currency coinage ana
legal tender. banking, other than state
banking: also State banking extending beyond
the limits Of the State con cerned the incorpora-
ton OF banks and the issue Of paper money;
tnsurance other than State insurance: also State
insurance extending beyond the limits OF the
State concerned weights and measures: bills
OF exchange and promissory notes bankruptcy
and insolvency; copyrights, patents OF fnven-
lions and designs and trademarks naturaliza-
ton and aliens foreign corporations, and trad
ing or financial corporations formed in any
State or part OF the commonwealth: marriage
divorce and matrimonial causes. and. in rela-
ton thereto. parental rights, and the custody
and guardianship OF infants; invalid and old
age pensions; the people OF any race. other than
the aboriginal race In any State, for whom 1t is
deemed necessary to make special laws mmi-
grafton and emigration the influx OF criminals;
external affairs; the relations Of the common
wealth with the Islands Of the Pacific; the ac-
ouisition with the consent of a State OF the
whole or any part Of the railways Of the State
upon such terms as may be arranged between
the commonwealth and the State; railway con-
struction and extension in any State with the
consent Of that State; Cancellation and arbtra-
ton for the prevention and settlement OF in
dustria disputes extending beyond the limits OF
any one State, and matters referred 10 the Par
lament of the commonwealth by the Parliament
or Parliaments Of any State or States
EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIARY.
All bills imposing taxation on the spending OF
revenue must originate with the lower house
the upper house having no power to interfere
and ample provision is made in case of dead
locks between the two houses The eyecutive