New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-06
4TSTRiLASIAN FEDERATION.

Two Australasian colonies have by popular
vote finally adopted the federation scheme.
These are Victoria and Tasmania The vote or
only one other colony Is now needed. Wheh IL
is secured the federation Of the three will be-
como after some brief formalities which must
follow as matters of course an accomplished
fact Then the remaining colonies can join the
union when they get ready. II is expected that
New South Wales will be the third colony 10
ratify the scheme 1t was the pioneer and las
all along been the leader in the federation
movement and 1t is scarcely possible that 1t will
repudiate it now. True. dispatch says the re-
suit OF the polling there Is still doubtful. But
Of the sentiment OF the people there can De no
doubt. The only question Is whether enough
have voted or will vote to fill ny the minimum
number required by the Enabling act. In New
South Wales it is required that the scheme shall
be accepted by at least 10000 votes. Seeing
that the adult male population exceeds 4OOooo
il ought to be possible to secure so many. In
Victoria the required minimum was 10000 IN an
adult male population Of 10000 and 1t seems
to have been readily secured. Even should the
measure fail In New South Wales II Will PROB
ably be adopted by the vote OF South Australia
where popular sentiment Is strongly In FAVOR or
il. But il Is by no means improbable that when
all the ballots are counted and the returns In. II
will be found that all the colonies have voted
for federation. excepting. of course, Queensland,
which has as yet taken no part In the move
ment.
Thus will be consummated the enlightened
and beneficent plan laid seven years ago by some
of the ablest statesmen of Australasia 1t viii
make union Of the colonies strikingly like the
union Of these United States. There will be
Senate in which all colonies Will have equal
representation. and n House of representatives
based OH population, just as here. Money DIS
must originate in the House Of Representatives,
but may be amended by the Senate. All powers
not definitely vested in the federation nor de-
MED to the colonies are to be reserved lor inc
colonies. or for the people. Customs tariifs are
to be uniform throughout the federation, ana
trade between the colonies Is TO be free. In
order 10 avoid possible deadlock between the
two houses Of Congress It Is provided that III
case Of disagreement joint sitting or Doth
houses shall be held, at which two-thirds vote
shall be decisive. Another novelty Is that after
five years when the share Of each colony III
trade. revenue ard expenditure can he justly
ascertaned the surplus customs revenue snaii
be rcdisiributcd pro rata among the colonies.
Thus we may now confidently hope new
great Power has come into existence In the
South Pacific. 1t is n Power closely akin TO
ourselves III speech. race. spirit and politicai IN
stitutons. Indeed. 1t has been modelled AFTER
our system more directly than any other exist
ing commonwealth. In any case, the formation
of such a Power must have been matter OF
profound and permanent interest to u.s. Far
more s. is II now. when we have extended our
own holdings 10 those same seas nnd are mus
separated from Australia not by thousands put
by only few hundreds OF miles Or the wei
come which Australia gives us there. there Is no
question. 1t Is Astounding and sincere. Nor
could we wish for a better neighbor than new
United States. assuring In conjunction with our
Philippine and Hawaiian colonies the lasting
hcgemony Of republican institutions and or the
English speaking race IN the Islands OF the Ia
chc Ocean.