Year: 1870

The war has so mOnOpOlized the political
stage in Europe and all minor matters have
been so completely thrown into the shade,
that even the English themselves regard with
a sort of stolid indifference the symptoms of
an impending change which will prove OF
more vital Importance to them than the parti-
ton of any European Power. We mean the
proposed federation of the Australian Provinces.
A late speech of Mr.. Duffy's, in the Victoria
House of Representatives, showed the strength,
amounting to certainty of success, in the move
ment 1t is supported by the majorlties IN the
Representative Houses in the six colonies, and
by the press in all. The type of confedea-
ton is stated to be centralizing in its idea, as
that adopted by the Canadian Colonies.


The apathy with which this movement Is
regarded by the English Parliament is incom-
prehensible. 1t is true that Federation is sup
ported in Australia by the party there opposed
TO severance from the English Crown, as well
as by those who vehemently urge 1t. But
there is little doubt in the mind OF any tar-
sighted spectator certainly there is none ex-
pressed by the majority of the English Cabinet
or the influential portion of the press that the
union Of the Colonies would, but by short
period. precede their complete throwing Oh OF
the British yoke.


II ia not so long ago, IA nations date, that
England let slip her hold on a few weak
settlements along the Atlantic coast. Since
their escape and combination, they have taken
their stand as one of the three most powerful
nations of the world. The six Australaslan
Provinces, when once federated, have In them
the elements of as rapid development. The
leading members of the Colonial Houses are
men, the English press boasts, Of exceptional
ability and shrewdness; they are certainly too
able and shrewd not to see the probability OF
this. Whatever submission they may profess
to the mother country now, there Is httle
doubt that as soon as they have gained this
first point and hold the guiding reins OF
single powerful nation in their hands lnstead
of half dozen small States, they will promptly
and finally throw off her hold upon them.
Common sense underies the fate OF peoples
"a well as of individuals. 1t is not credible
that a nation, full of fresh blood and power
full vitality, should long wear the badge Oh
seryitude to a government alien from IL In
aims and interest, distant half the circumfer-
ence of the globe and that has consistently
refused it any paternal benefits, and held 1t

solely as a prison for her criminals and a
storehouse from which to extract food and
treasure for her home paupers. The feeling OF
antagonism and discomfort to the mother cOun-
try is deep rooted in Australia, and has been
expressed during the last year with unpre-
cedented bOldness and vehemence.


That this great limb of the Empire will
shortly be amputated from it is acknowledged
in England as almost certain; and the inditier-
ence with which the matter is discussed can
only be accounted for on the ground that Par
lament is hopeless of either prevention or
cure at this late day for the evil. John Bull
is notoriOusy purblind on the subject of his
own position and strength; but in this case he
wilfully shuts his eyes to the fact that Eng
land without her splendid dependencies in the
Pacific and North America, would be robbed
of half of her prestige and moral weight, and
sunk at once and irretrievably to the position
of a sccond-rate European Power.