New-York tribune., 1902-03-04
At THE ANTIPODES.
THE FUTURE OF THE AUSTRALASIA
CoMMONwEALTHs

AUSTRALASIA. OLD AND NEW. By J. Grattan
Grey. Octave. pp. xvi. 1856. +. T. Dutton q o.
About year ago the States of Australia
entered upon a federal union; and this fact
coupled with the renewed interest in the great
southern colony. is put forward by Nr. j. Grat-
tan Grey as reason for bringing before Eng
tlssh speaking readers his comprehensive little
book A journalist Of long experience in the
antipodes he should be well qualified to convey
Information on a subject which he has found
70 be shrouded in good deal OF ignorance in
the minds of English people. He cher1shes no
illusions as to the future Of the Australian
Commonwealth. 20 Imperial Federation. or
any federation Of all the English speaking ma
tions and believes that long before this CEN
tury draws 70 an end Australia will be an in
dependent nation, politically and in other re-
spects."
To govern themselves in their own way. ac-
cording to their own conceptions of What is pest
suited for the requirements Of the countries they
live in is the idea which is fass taking posses
sion Of peoples minds all the world over; and it
is well known fact that in the Australia OF 10
day there thousands Of men and women VINO
are strongly impressed with the belief tnat
events will shape themselves in that part OF
the world 10 result in complete indepen-
dence eventually.
The independence Of the American colonies
exercised marked influence on the development
Of Australia-it deprived England Of a dumping
ground TO which its criminal classes might be
consigned. and led to the selection Of the far
southern continent as a substitute AS such il
was utilized for fifty years. till the free people
pf Australia would tolerate it no longer. But
khe baleful picture that Mr.. Grey gives Of the
transportation system and its results-the pas
cage from England almost equalled in its hor-
rors the Middle Passage to America in the
slave trade-shows that the conditions became
much worse with the development Of the system
than they had ever been in the American colo
suies. The effect upon the country was highly
.unfavorable. Yet II is quite erroneous to sup
pose that convict blood has peopled Australia:
many good families emgrated thither. and the
discovery OF gold in 1851 introduced stream OF
euigration that soon placed the convicts and
their descendants in a very small minority.
,~what absurd nonsense therefore, it is" says
Mr. Grey, ito say that Australians do not care
10 talk about their grandfathers." Even in Tas-
mania. where convicts were chiefly sent, there
Is no reticence upon the subject The author
some years ago saw posters in Hobart announc-
ang the production of THE Ticket Of Leave
Man" He expressed surprise TO the manager
1hat he should venture on such a thing:
Don't you think the people here will regard
1t as a reflection upon themselves, and may take
l1neasures TO resent the insult?'
kind. They rather like this sort Of thing. Just
wait and see. Come along to the theatre to-
night and you will see it packed. 1t is the very
thing TO scoop in the dollars. The Ticket of
Leave Man is the trump card OF my repertoire
And SO II proved though there were some 'old
Hands and convicts' descendants in the au-
ldience Mr.. Grey gives a mass of entertaining
idetan about the cities of Australia and his life
5n them; their jealousies. only to be compared
with that existing between Minneapolis and st.
Paul; the pleasures of the pleasure loving peo-
ple their retreats from the heat Of the long, tor
rid summer-though the "city man. emulates
the Londoner in never dispensing with his tall
hat and black frock coat. Democracy has stead
ily gained power through Australia where the
lead of Victoria, which had manhood suffrage
from the beginning, has been followed. The only
relic Of British conservatism is found in two Of
the States. where the government Of the day has
the right TO name members of the upper house;
and there is a strong current Of feeling in favor
of its abolishment. Australian society, the press
and literature ere the subjects Of interesting
chapters: and finally the new federative govern
ment and its prospects are discussed-and the
prospects are, according to Mr. Grey. that Aus
1ralia is destined to become one of the greatest
nations Of the earth"
AS TO New-Zealand Mr.. Grey seems less op-
g1imistic and paints the situation in coors much
gloonier than some recent writers its fri
descent dreams Of "Socalistic Utopia" The
1ower house is "a collection Of time serving, self
sseeking, uneducated and thick skinned medioc-
srities," under the degeneration that began in
1880 Public and political life is degraded; the
tcivil service is demoralized and disorganized.
sand many OF the best men are leaving it and
Transferring their services TO Australia. There
Is autocratic personal government that has
created reign OF terror. in which free speech
and thought are impossible. The old age pen
sion scheme is on sure foundation; woman
hood suffrage. though still in experimental
stage. has corrupted the electorate and created
family dissensions; the famous industrial
<ciIiation and arbitration scheme has not brought
peace. but foments dscord, in the hands Of self
seeking mediocrities. 1t is a depressing picture,
and it may be that Mr.. Grey has gone much
400 far in one way as the enthusiasts have in
1he other.