Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-18
LOYALTY OF THE PEOPLE

1.-The introduction into the British paria-
| ment of the Australian commonwealth bill
| by Mr.. Chamberlain few days ago must
| have occasioned much rejoicing in Austria
| La said John T. Bray, United States con-
| sui general at Melbourne, who is now in
| the city, to Star reporter.
1T makes another step in the progress of
| imperial federation. The union of all the
colonies Of Australia is not accomplished by
| this bill. but there is little doubt that in
| time this will be attained Almost from
| the very beginning of British rule Austria
| liza has been divided into colonies princi-
| pally on account of the general geographic
| cal conditions. but the sentiment has been
strong all the time for union. and the colo
| MES were prepared to make sacrifices to
bring it about.
THE constitution, which is brought into
parliament as bill for ratification. was
| first adopted by the federal convention at
Melbourne, March 16. 1893. 1t was amend
ed and agreed to at a conference of prime
| ministers held at the same place. January
81, 1889, and was accepted by popular cleo
ton in the five colonies of Victoria New
South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and
South Australia during the spring and sum-
mer Of 1889. Western Australia, where
the principal gold fields lie, sent delegates
| to the convention, and her premier was
present at the last conference, but the peo-
| pie refused to accept the constitution be-
cause some concessions, which they had
asked regarding tariffs, had not been
granted. The absence of this colony from
| the union is much regretted by the others,
and they confidently hope that she will
vote to come in within a few years. New
Zealand and New Guinea, outlying Islands,
are not expected to seek entrance for some
| time. In framing this constitution many
| obstacles were encountered, and in begin
ming to frame a code Of laws for the new
commonwealth many more are expected
such, for example, making uniform tariff
| laws. which will be satisfactory to both
Victoria with its protective and New South
Wales with its free trade proclivities-but
the Australians anticipate In the adjust
ment of these differences no serious trouble.
1.-The constitution is in general strikingly
like that of the United States, although
the phraseology is quite different. The
senate, which consists OF six from each
colony (and each colony is called state).
is elected for six years by direct vote OF
the people. The house of representatives is
elected for three years and contains twice
as many members as the senate. Annual
parliamentary sessions are required. One
peculiar provision is that no undischarged
bankrupt or insolvent is eligible to parlia-
ment. The salary, called an allowance. OF
each senator and representative Is $oOo
a year.
Mr.. Chamberlain Objection.
1.-The only hitch In securing imperial ap-
proval for this constitution, as shown in
Mr.. Chamberlain's speech, relates to that
section which gives the supreme court.
called the high court Of Australia. final
Jurisdiction in any question involving the
Interpretation Of this constitution or the
constitution of any of the states. Mr..
Chamberlain objects to this as severance
of the authority Of the privy council He
proposes, / understand, to allow the COM
monwealth of Australia a seat in the privy
council and representation in parliament
,is-f, 70, n,1 hn
constitution back to the people of the colo
MES for ratification again. as it might great
ly delay the federation scheme Probably
some means will be devised which will
make this unnecessary. The delegates who
took this constitution to England are men
of very high character and standing in
Australia. One of them presided over the
constitutional convention and another In
troduced the original bill.
There can be no question as to the
loyalty of the people of Australia to the
empire His idea that this federation IS
step toward separation from Great Britain
is altogether mistaken. These colonies are
practically free states and the only bond to
the mother country is that of sentiment,
without which all other bonds would be
weak. This spirit of loyalty to the crown
is especially manifest in the Boer war. In
deed it seems to me that Australians are
more enthusiastic in defending the position
of the government than are the people of
England themselves. They take great
pride in the splendid troops sent to the
front and in the excellent records they
made. During the Spanish-American war
practically no pro-Spanish sentiment exist
ed there The news Of American victories
was received In Australia with great re-
joicing. which was very gratifying to me.
Possible this sympathetic feeling has In
creased the natural hospitality with which
Australians welcome an American. Ger
tainly l have discovered no other sentiment
than that of extreme cordially toward our
people
"Is Australia growing and prosperous?"
Restriction on Immigration.
Population is one respect in which Aus
tralia cannot boast of rapid progress. This
is due to the stringent anti-immigration
laws. The Chinese and Japanese are not
allowed to land except on contract for brief
periods The labor union element is very
powerful and brought about the passage of
those and other restrictive laws. AS to the
comparative prosperity of the different COLO
MES il would be hard to decide. Melbourne
and Sydney, the chief cities, one Of the
protective tariff and the other of the free
trade colony, are thriving towns o each pos
More Americans are found at Sydney be-
cause it is free port.
THE controversy between protection and
free trade is a veXed question there and
here. One can hear that free trade is in
jurfng Sydney and also that protection is
having that effect on Melbourne. The
rivalry between these two splendid cities is
contests In the western part of this coun-
try When the question of the capital for
Australia was under consideration in the
federal convention both cities sought the
honor, and this amusing compromise was
reached; the first meeting Of the parlia-
ment after imperial ratification Is to be
held at Melbourne. but the permanent CAPT
tai is to be located by the parliament in
New South Wales, but not within 100 miles
of Sydney.
Commerce and Industry.
although Australia is not growing rapid
~ in population, it is making great strides
in commerce and industry. 1t is the great
est wool-producing country in the world.
1t ranks second to South Africa in the pro-
duction of gold, although the discoveries
at Cape Nome may place the United States.
which is now third. in second place. Every
vegetable, grain or plant known to COM
merce Is grown there successfully, and the
area of cultivation Is steadily increasing.
Every colony but one showed last year
handsome surplus of receipts ever expendi-
lures, although ambitious public works
were everywhere under way.
with about the same area as the United
States without its territories there is little
difference in climate in the various parts
of Australia. 1t is generally about like that
of California The people are cordial
and as well bred one finds in this coun-
- Il