The San Francisco call., 1898-06-05
THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH

I ATE advices from Australia to the effect
 that the plans drawn up by the federal con - yention for the proposed union of the colonies have been well received and the prospects are that the long desired federation will be speedily accom- plished Even in New South Wales, where the oppo- sition has hitherto been strongest the sentiment in favor of union IS growing
 In recent issue the Sydney Herald, after review ing the policy of the opposition, said: Either the foes of federation have counter scheme which IS not condemned in the stating, or, having such, they prefer to put forward schemes which at once seen to be hopelessly impossible So far appears, the sole political ideal of the antifederalists is of provincial isolation for all time"
 The federalists propose that the title of the new union shall be "The Commonwealth of Australia. :" This has a republican sound Canada calls herself a dominion That term is suggestive of royal sov- ereignty. The Australians, in view of the fact that their union is be in form at least subject to the empire of Great Britain, did not venture to assume the title republic but is clear they that for the title they have chosen carries the idea by impl- cation.
 The difficulties in the way of Australian union have been due to questions of colonial sovereignty over lands rivers, railways and public works According to the Sydney Herald these difficulties have been overcome and all the rights of the colonies have been carefully safeguarded by the convention This leaves the opposition substantial arguments against the union and they are compelled fight solely for the preservation of the existing order of things. It is, therefore essentially battle against progress and is doomed to defeat.
 In framing the federal constitution the convention has borrowed from both the United States and Can. ada The various colonies are to take the title states, in this country The parliament is to sist of two houses. Six Senators will represent each state in the upper chamber, while the lower house will be modelled after House of Representative, being chosen the basis of popular representation.
 The nominal chief executive will be Governor General appointed by the British sovereign, whose authority in the commonwealth he will represent, but the real executive will be Ministry representing the federal parliament. In of deadlock between the two houses of parliament such as sometimes occurs in this country between the House and the Senate, between parliament and the Governor General, the constitution provides for joint assem- ply of both houses which dispose of the issue in dispute by three-hfths vote
 With the adoption of the new constitution Aus raia will enter upon in its history, and the effects of the development of the commonwealth will later be felt in the larger politics of the world Even at present the Australian colonies are hardly subject to Great Britain They regulate their own commerce without regard to her interests and maintain over all their affairs virtual local sov- ereignty.
 With the increased power which will inevitably come from the union there will develop an Australian patriotism of larger aspirations than the colonists have known. It is not likely they will desire separa- ton from the empire, for they feel no friction from it to disturb their sentiments of loyalty but they will certainly insist upon having some voice in imperial affairs. The establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia may therefore prove to be long stride toward the accomplishment of the much talked of fed eration of the empire