New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-20
AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.
WHY NEW SOUTH WALES STOPS ITS ACCOM-
PIISHMTNT

Sydney, June l8
The final returns Of the federal plebiscite in New
South Wales, Victoria. South Australia and Tas-
mania give a total Of az ss votes In favor OF the
Australian Commonwealth bill and 107.7H against.
giving an affirmative ma jority OF 1lo0l5 The voting
in each colony follows New-South Wales
For n42: against. 60 &4. v1ctor1a-For. 10000;
against 1900 South Austr la-For. SIN: against.
Il 300 Tasmania-For 1855; against, $500. Although
there was an affirmative majority In New-South
Wales the votes recorded fell short OF tho eighty
thousand fixed minimum by the PARLIAMENT OF
that colony Consequently the bill has been host.
80 far as the parent State ie concerned. re-
markab BILE feature OF the plebiscite was the apathy
evinced by the colonists generally only three-sev-
enths % the enrolled electors having taken the
trouble 10 give their votes side the other.
In Western Australia the date for taking the pie
biscite has not yet been decided upon while
Queensland, IN consequence Of political complica-
tons has not been enabled to move in tho matter.
There is nothing 10 prevent Victoria South Aus
trala and Tasmania federating on their own &C
count but they unwilling TO move without
New-South Wales. the oldest. richest and most pop
ulous Of the Australian group. There Is however
in that colony a marked reluctance TO accept tho
proposed federal constitution in it's present form II
being held to favor largely the smaller States at
the expense OF New South Wales. In the Senate
each State. large and small would have equal rep
resentaiion with power over money bills. while in
the lower chamber the representation would be on
population basis II is proposed 10 meet Geah-
locks between the two chambers by allowing the
disputed questions to be submitted 10 Joint gath
ering OF both bodies a two-ffths majority being re-
CURED for an affirmative vote.
There are other provisions OF similar cha raotsr.
tending less tn place the administrative
power in the hands Of the smaller Australian
States These defects recognized by the sup
porters OF the Australian Commonwealth bill. who
maintain that everything be put right by the
Federal Parliament; while their opponents. on tho
other hand. insist that the difficulties experienced
in making alterations In the United States Constl-
t|9I sh9Ha sct oo an m ps 81 before ay
accepting II There IS no opposition on the part or
tuition; IL is purely question OF the terms which
it most satisfactorily be effected
In New South Wales there will practically be q
second referendum the forthcoming general cleo
ton. and. should the result DO in favor OF Joining
the federation OF New South Wales Victoria, South
Australia Tasmania and possibly Western aus.
ss WI xeaE % eSe6 Of he
proving unfavorable to federation on the terms
probably unite in accepting an amended federal
Constitution leaving the other colonies 10 Join them
or stand aloof. as they please so.,.., oao,.
ing terms generally regarded as unfavorabe TO her
interests is natural considering their value ana
colonies, among which Victoria has long maintained
me lead. According to the latest official i figures
merce. and Industrial protection Of every kind in
the mother colony Is derably In advance OF the
other colonies. singly or IN combination. an illus
tration being afforded by the savings bank returns,
those for the two yeas 1888 showing that tho
increase Of deposits in the New South Wales insti
tutions during that period amounted 70 e 5000,
or more than tho combined increase. Fl ES.CO in
largest colonies-Oueensland Victoria and South
Australia. The fact is that the smaller states are
demanding ono-siGed concessions, while New South
Wales is asking for concessions all around How
the question win finally be determined. probably
the forthcoming Parliamentary elections In tho
mother colony Will show