The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-03

chased elsewhere, the question assumes
different phase.
THE NEW AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION
There could not have been a more fitting
greeting to the incoming of the new CEN
fury than the proclamation of a new ma
Grafton is. One might almost call it the
proclamation of a new republic. for per-
scnal and political liberty under the new
government will be fully as broad as in
the United States, and the elective fran
chise more liberal, while in some other
features the government is more popular
in character than ours. The advent of
such government in the Eastern hemi-
sphere and south Of the equator Is an event
OF great present interest and stf1l greater
future possibilities. It's comparative near
ness to the Philippines. less than 200
miles, makes II almost certain that before
the century ends they will be exerting
reflex influence upon each other and both
contributing to the extension OF Anglo
Saxon civilization.
AS political movement the new fedora
ton is closely akin to the formation of the
American Union. by which several sep
arate and distinct States were brought to-
gether under one constitution and govern
ment. Prior to the federation the British
Australasian colonies were seven in num-
ber-New South Wales, Victoria. Queens
land, South Australia, Western Australia,
Tasmania and New Zealand. The first
are contiguous. forming one great island.
while the last two are separate islands.
The total area of all is 3,0S5,592 square miles
nearly equal to that of the United States
or Canada. The population is about $685.
colonies had its separate government, with
a representative legislature. responsible
ministry, disposing of its own revenues and
making it's own laws. subject to certain
reserved veto power of the imperial British
government. The Governor of each colony
was appointed by the crown. but other
wise the governments were republican In
New South Wales every male British SUBJ
ject of legal age, who has resided a year
in the colony, may vote for members of
the Legislature. In Victoria the members
of the lower house are elected by universal
manhood suffrage and those of the upper
house by persons owning 800 worth Of
property and by professional men or grad
yates of some college. In Queensland all
adult males who have resided six months
~
the upper house Is elected by freeholders.
leaseholders and renters, and the lower
house by the vote Of all adult citizens,
male and female. In Western Australia
500 may vote for members of the upper
house, and all adult males, who have re-
sided In the colony two years. for men,
bers of the lower house. Tasmania re-
quires a small property qualification and
an educational qualification. In New Zea-
land adult persons Of either sex, who
have resided In the colony a year, may
vote. 1t will be seen, therefore, that all
the colonies are liberal in the matter of
the elective franchise, and some of them
VI.
there were 339.230 registered voters, of
whom 196.925 were men and 1895 women.
The federation movement began with a
convention held at Sydney, New South
Wales. in March. 1891 Shortly afterwards
| the Legislature of New South Wales passed
bill favoring the movement. and then
began a series of efforts to bring the other
colonies into line. Owing to diverse inter-
| ests and local jealousies, this required
| the exercise of patience and tact and much
onies. The federation scheme had to be
passed upon by each colonial legislature
separately. approved by the people. and
then by two national conventions. Finally,
however. Anglo-Saxon perseverance. states
manship and common sense prevailed. and
the constitution. with various amendments,
was adopted by all the colonies. In Its
main features the constitution resembles
that of the United States. 1t creates a
federal Parliament, to be elected by the
| legislation. The two houses of Parlia-
ment are called the Senate and House OF
Representatives. Each State. without re-
| gard to size, has the same number of SEN
ators. while the number of representatives
will change according to population. The
| colonial parliaments, like our State legis-
| latures, reserve all rights, except those
that are definitely given up to the federal
Parliament. The powers of the federal
Parliament are almost Identical with thos,
of our Congress. Provision is made fol
the establishment of national courts, court.
of appeal. etc.
The Inauguration Of such a government
| in a country possessing such resources ant
possibilities of great population and com
merce as does the Australasian Federatisi
is an event of great interest. 1t may b,
added that the governments and people o.
all the colonies have always shown warn
sympathy and friendship for the United
States.
THE BASIS OF REFORM In CITIES.
The political question which rises abov,
L A.