New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-03
AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.
UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT REACHED BY
THE COLONIAL PREMIERS.
SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT APPARENTLY
AsSURED-TO HAVE \ FEDERAL CAP1-
TAI LIKE WASHINGTON

TAI LIKE WASHINGTON.
Melbourne Feb. 1.-The unanimous agreement
finally reached by the Australian colonial Pre-
miers. who have been in conference here for
some days regarding certain unsettled questions
connected with the Australian Federation bill
referred to them by the colonial legislatures,
seems to insure the success Of the Federation
project
The fed ,ral capital will be like Washington,
federal territory. the existing capitals being
excluded. II will be established in New South
Wales. but at least a hundred miles from Sgd
ney. the colonial capital. Pending the erection
OF a Capitol building, the Australian Parliament
Will meet in Melbourne.
The Parliament is to consist OF e Senate and
House OF Representatives, and an absolute
majority OF the members Of both houses shall
decide all differences that may arise between the
two.
In other respects the original bill is unaltered
The delay in accomplishing Australian Fedora
ton had been principally due the hesitating policy
OF New South Wales-the chief trouble originating
with the financial basis Of the proposed Common
wealth. The matter first formally before the
representatives OF the colonies at a Federal Con-
vention. which met in Adelaide in March, 1881 The
colonies Of Victoria. New South Wales. Tasmania
lutons adopted. embodying the principles OF
the Constitution. and 4 committee was ap-
pointed TO draft bill be reported 70 the Con-
vention. and then after discussion be referred TO
the various colonial legislatures.
The draft having been made. submitted TO and
modified by the Convention. 10 the colonial
legislatures in March OF last year. The subsequent
discussion revealed the existence Of an important
antifederal section. the OF the difficulty being
the question Of securing the rights Of the smaller
States without deprivng the others OF the ad-
vantages which should be theirs from the fact Of
their larger populations. one by one. however tho
colonies. with the exception OF New South Wales
approved the bill. Victoria. South Australia West
Australia and Tasmania derive their revenues from
excise and customs duties. but in New South Wales
these have been partially abolished their places
being taken by income and land taxes.
The opponents OF the Federation project in New
South Wales contended that under federal
government the four Drotectonlst colonies would
lose large part OF their revenue by the abol-
ition of border duties and federal tariff. OF
pf1n9e M sb woT ber
are 10 border duties % be repealed the practical
good largely a. the expense OF New South Wales.
OF the bill as originally prepared. would mean an
Increase OF taxation IN the parent colony and d.
Apart from this feature the New South Wales
coonists have an along approved the proposed Con-
man-s for equitable fiscal arrangement have
. been met. the foregoing dlSualch from Mel
bourne refers to Unanimous agreement
The Australian Federation bill vests the lcGsla-
I tive authority in the Queen, who Will ue repre-
sented bv Governor General. and IN TWO houses
Of Parliament the mem bers OF each being elected
on the basis OF manhood suffrage, ana each cleo
'0v having only vote. Each colony. or state.
VII return six members the Senate, each elected
for six years. The House Of Representatives Will
consist Of sxty-fOur members. elected for .hree
yea-s-twcnty-fOur by New South Wales. twenty
three by Victoria. seven by South Australia, five by
west Australia and five by Tasmania.
Tue Australian Parliament Will have power 10
make laws regulating trade aud commerce with
other countries and among the several States, regu-
lotng taxation. but not so 10 discriminate be-
tween States or parts of States. between persons
or .hings passing from one State to another regu-
atne also hOunties on the production or export Of
goods borrowing money on the public credit OF the
Federation postal. tolcgraphic telephone and
other Ike services naval and military defence. nay
genon and shipping.
Tho Executive Government Is 10 consist o. seven
Ministers. with salaries acErecatnE tl2GM per
/ annum The expenditure OF the Federal Govern
ment is estimated AT n.5 oWD por annum.
Each State Will for tho present retain pos
session of IFS own railways. subject to tho control
~ an interstate commission. and so long as this
IS Tho case tho Fcderal Government will not have
charge Of the public assets.