The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-01
The Australian Commonwealth.


islative step TO complete the federation
OF the Australian colonies will have
been taken. and what is substantially
a new republic will come into existence
destined to occupy hereafter large
space IN the affairs OF the world. This
is the elimination of more than fifteen
years OF work on the part OF the states
men OF the Australian colonies. During
this time local jealousies have had to
be quieted, popular Indifference over
come and a healthy public sentiment on
the subject created. The six colonies
have all given in their adherence to the
plan: a constitution has been prepared
and adopted. and the British parliament
offers no objections.
The one difficulty which stood In the
way OF the passage OF a parliamentary
enabling act was dissemination on the
part OF the Salisbury ministry to assent
TO a provision Of the Australian consti-
tuition which declared that no appeals
should in the future be carried to the
British .privy council from the high
court of the Australian commonwealth.
save In cases where the public interests
OF some other part OF the imperial do
minions were involved. After making
considerable difficulty the British minis
try has finally consented 10 this pro-
vision, with some slight changes of
phraseology. Within brief period the
first elections will be held and the Aus
tralian commonwealth will take It's place
among the brotherhood OF nations.
The constitution OF this new repub-
lic-for 30 II Ia In everything except
name--is a compromise between that OF
the United States and those OF the
various self.governing British colonies.
The six colonies which are now to be-
come states OF federation are New
South Wales. Victoria. South Australia.
Queensland. Western Australia and
Tasmania: the last n separate island ly-
ing 20 the southwark OF the Australian
continent. but so near as to be practic-
ally a part of IL. New Zealand decided
not TO enter into the federation. but 10
preserve separate colonial existence.
Under the constitution as adopted each
of these states will he represented In the
upper house by six members, elected by
the people OF the several states at large.
The lower house win contain not less
than double this number OF members, -
be chosen on the basis OF population.
from districts to be established within
the borders OF each state. There Is also
20 be established a High Court. with
constitutional powers similar TO those
OF the supreme court OF the United
States. so far. the American plan IS
followed with but slight notifications.
Instead OF the American plan OF
a single executive, with large powers.
the British plan OF responsible min
istry In adopted. The governor general,
10 be appointed BY the crown. Is a mers
figure head. the real executive power
being lodged In the executive council Of
cabinet ministers. each OF whom must
be a member OF one of the houses Of
parliament This mlnistrys tenure ~
office depends. "a under the British sys-
tenn everywhere upon its power to COM
mand a majority In parliament.
In another respect the constitution
follows closely the British plan. All bills
for the raising OF revenue or for the ex-
prnditures OF public moneys not only
must originate In the lower house. but
the upper chamber cannot alter or
amend them. but must accept or rejec,
them In toto, other interesting ana ex.
perimentai provisions are designed 10
prevent any deadlock between tn. two
houses. by which legislation might be
brought 10 a standstiiL a dissolution
follows saeh deadlock. and Il Il occurs
again after the new election. provision
Is had Cor a Join, session Of the two
houses. the vote In which session finally
disposes Of the matter
nv question: 81 revenue ENF kG~ new
commonwealth was determined by
compromise. and the result VII ~
watched with considerable interest. ss
many objections 80 the plan adopted
readily suggest themselves The colon
les hesltated TO deprive themselves %
an the revenues from customs dues. a.
IN the majority % cSaes their expenses
had been met largely from this source
The compromise places the collection ~
customs dues In the hands % thr federal
government. but requires e % repay 20
the several states three quarters 20 ,he
amount collected. the distribution % p,
propor;ionAte 70 the collections On the
several states This src=urposes Gus.
toms revenue enormously In excess 2
the needs OF the federal government. ~
a resort 10 other forms az taxation 20