Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-12
FEDERATION IN AUSTRALIA.
Possible Adoption of Tariff That
VIII Hurt Our Trade.

United States Consul Bell at Sydney,
N. 8. W., in a report to the State Depart
ment upon the federation movement in
Australia, predicts early recourse by
the federated colonies to a system of pro-
tective tariff duties that will have a con-
siderable effect upon American manufac-
turers inasmuch it may be accompanied
by preferential treatment for English pro-
ducts. Consul Bell describes the progress
of the movement for federation.
Last year New South Wales, under
law requiring a minimum vote of $1,000 to
carry the bill, rejected the federal con-
stitution by a vote of To,996 to 65,619. The
other colonies, thou gh they had given good
majorities for the bill, did not deem it wise
to federate without New South Wales, the
most wealthy and popuous of the group,
and the whole movement was thought to
have come to a protracted standstiil
But the discussion during the federal
campaign seems to have left the question
nearer the hearts of the people.
A conference of premiers was held in
Melbourne January % last, and by mutual
concessions an amicable agreement was
reached, with proposal that the constitu-
ton bill be submitted to the people of the
respective colonies for approval or rejec-
ton by referendum, and, as New South
Wales had proven the chief obstacle to
Observation-Disclosures not yet having en-
tered-it was decided that the question be
first submitted to that colony.
Save securing the federal capital to New
South Wales-by a compromise to the eff
feet that it should not be less than 100
miles from the metropoliS-and providing
an easier method of amending the federal
constitution. little was gained for New
South Wales by the conference and new
and bitter contest arose.
When parliament convened an enabling
act submitting the amended bill to the
people, was passed by the lower house or
legislative assembly. but rejected by the
upper house This upper house is COM
posed of life members, appointed by the
government for the time being. AS rule,
the members are elderly, respectable,
wealthy and conservative men, rather out
of touch with the people
Parliament was prorogued March 90 and
by constitutional power the premier
an advocate of the federal cause. strength
ened his side in the upper house" by the
appointment of twelve new members
April IL parliament was reconvened and
soon the enabling bill was passed. The vote
in New South Wales. which was taken on
June ~, resulted in a majority in favor of
federation of over 10000. The other colonies
VIII undoubtedly accept the bill
Consul Bell remarks: Under the proposed
federal constitution nearly all taxes or
moneys for local, state and federal pur-
poses are to be collected by and through
the federal machinery. This will necessi-
tate heavy federal tax and, as any con-
Siderable excise tax, so long as all the states
are striving to develop every industry, is
~ piopepte, d uedNy uuty on imports seems
a foregone conclusion There is a strong
likelihood that this federal tax will assume
a protective form, which would affect our
trade, as we'll as all foreign trade, very
materially
1T is possible that the new tariff may
provide preferential duties for produc IS
from Great Britain. The movement among
a class of British statesmen and business
men to consolidate the empire is not new
to our reading people Canada has set the
example of preferential duties, and with
Australia federated and scale of duties
nee essarily high, similar movement here
should not be surprising
The recent fiscal changes by the English
parliament. placing a duty on wines. have
brought protest from the Australian col
onies and at the same time an expression
of sentiment in favor of reciprocal trade
with the mother country"