OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 64, 17 March 1910, Page 2

OUR SYDNEY LETTER.

[own correspondent.] THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. The forthcoming elections continue to cause perplexity by reason of the constitutional amendments for which endorsement is sought. The- perplexity is by no means lessened by the too-obvious fact that there is a strong difference of opinion about them in Ministerial ranks. Mr Wade loyally upholds both amendments, in pursuance, doubtless, of an understanding with Mr Deakin.. Mr Kidston follows him, and so do all his thorough-goimg supporters. The S.M. Herald, for instance, strongly -advocates "Yes" to both referendums. Its junior morning contemporary, on the other hand, is destructively critical as to the one which authorises the taking over of the debts. It is followed by Mr Storey .and by several Government supporters, who are not prepared to go all the way with Mr Wade. The Opposition was at first in favor of voting; against the fixed allowance to the States, but of passing the one relating to the det>ts. Tlris was regarded as an unwilling tribute to the prescience of the Treasurer. Latterly, however, Opposition speakers have turned completely round, and squarely oppose both referendums. They will 1 vote "No." PRO AND CON. Among Ministerialists there is virtual unanimity as to the desirableness of voting "yes" to- the amendment which seoures a fixed allowance to the States. NeAv South Wales suffers severely under it, doubtless. But if it is not embodied in the constitiition she will be in danger of 'losing everything, which would be much worse. The objection to the dehts referendum is that it gives the Commonwealth full power over all State debts without restriction or qualification. It has been pointed out that even tihe Savings Bank deposits are "debts," and, if so, could be taken over; also the amendment, in its present form,, necessarily gives the Commonwealth (though not nominal) control over future State borrowings. This power, it is maintained, is altogether too sweeping, and cannot safely be conceded. On the other hand, it is contended that the financial policy of the Ministry 'must be taken as a whole, and that it is now too late to find fault with it. Mr Wade declares that lie has an understanding with Mr Deakin, to the effect that the wishes of the States will be scrupulously respected. Tlris, it is rejoined, might be satisfactory if Mr Wade could .assure us that Mr Deakin would always* be in power. But he may be .succeeded by "Lahor," the caucus would rejoice, rather than otherwise, at any opportunity of trampling on the pledges of the .-hated "Fusion." It seems doubtful Whether the "debts" amendment will be carried. If it is, it will be a signal triumph of loyalty to the party ticket. SPLIT VOTES. Split voting is causing trouble to the Liberals, and threatens to lose them some seats. At Parkes Mr Pratten persists in his candidature against Mr Bruce Smith; in the Nepean Mr Sydney Smith seems equally bent on spoiling the chance of Mr Bowden; in the Richmond Mr Nathan is causing similar inconvenience to Mr Greene; and at Dalley Mr Huie, the secretary of the Single Tax League, has entered the lists in the avowed interests of Free Trade against Mr Wilks. Free Trade won't gain anything by the quixotic enterprise, but the Government may lose the seat. The same is time of the other three electorates. The party drum is being loudly beaten in order to drive the intruders' from the field. But they are quite within, their rights in standing. The fault is in the system. Instead of insisting that the candidate returned shall have polled an absolute majority, it offers a premium to low intrigue. THE MITCHELL LIBRARY. That wonderful monument of industry and liberality—the Mitchell Library—has at Last been formally opened. It represents' the life-work of its founder. He spent his time, and a large fortune besides, in hunting up all documents, pictures, plans, coins, or what not, relating to the early history of New South Wales. Oftentimes, what had been deemed an unconsidered trifle, was found to possess in his eyes solid monetary value. The comniissionsi which were paid to his agents must hare amounted to an immense sum. Many years ago he offered his enormous collection to the State on condition it should be suitably housed. The offer was accepted, but the fulfilment of the condition was so tardy that the donor passed away before his dearest wish came to fruition. Now that he has given it to the people of New South Wales the people aforesaid are beginning to ask upon what terms they will be admitted to the use of the princely gift. There will be no unseemly rush, however. Researches into ancient history, even though it be unusually interesting, are far less popular than other diversions. ' 'PENNY-A-LINER S.'' At the opening ceremony Lord Chelmsford was not quite so felicitous as he usually is when called upon for a speech. The library contains documents which throw light on the early history of some of our first families—history, which for the most part they have, completely outlived, and which no decent person desires to rake up to their discomfort. Lord Chelmsford remarked that some of the gentlemen "whose remuneration, he believed, was usually a penny-a-

line," would be very glad indeed to obtain access,to those stores l of information. Probably that is time, but only of very few persons. It is certainly not true of the great body of pressmen. Yet, without qualification, it could lie interpreted as a hit, not merely at a few gutter rakers, but at journalists generally. The allusion was uncalled-for, and served no useful purpose, whilst, as for the corollary, namely that such information exists, it was on a par with that notorious "belise" about "birthstains" which a recent Governor was unable wholly to outgrow. However, it is not given to any one to be always wise. But why should viceregal personages flutter round this particular topic like a moth round a candle ? THE NEW COINAGE. Samples of the new Australian silver coinage have reached Sydney. The verdict of the critics is not flattering. It is complained that the emu and the kangaroo on the -obverse appear half-starved. The country, it it true, is painfully liable to distressing da-oughts. But there was no need to saddle the coinage with a perpetual reminder of the disquieting fact. No provision is ma.de in the new coinage for half-crowns. But the hialf-orowiii is so useful a coin that if the authorities are wise they will leave the old coins in circulation. A new source of revenue is now open. If the ordinary citizen endeavors to palm off eight or nine shillings as full change of a pound he finds that his way is hard and troublesome. But the Mint and the Treasury deliver eight or 1 nine shillings worth of silver in exchange for a hard sovereign without turning a hair. The difference they call "seignorage." But a harsher term could readily be found. THE COMPTROLLERSHIP. It was not contemplated, when the control of the Public Service Board was inaugurated, that the propriety or otherwise of important appointments would be publicly canvassed in the press. But this is what has happened in the case of the ComptrollerGeneralship of Prison's. The appointment of Mr M'Fad-lane is warmly defended by the Government and as warmly attacked by its journalistic supporters. It is mot easy to see what end the latter propose to gain. If the Board and the Government, who have access, to all the available information, were to go back from their deliberate decision under journafetio press aire, the prestige of the latter would suffer far more serious loss than could possibly accrue from any mistake in making an appointment. The general opinion seem® to be that Mr M'Can-ley was passed over (1) because it is thought that a respite would be desirable after the strenuous reforming regime of Captain Neitenstein.; and (2) because the latter infringed the prerogative of the Board by recommending- Mr M'Cauley as his successor. The latter*, indeed, is one of the causes assigned by Mr Wade. About the former nothing has been said officially. But there are reasons for believing that it has a foundation in fact. Meairwhile Mr Wade would be well advised if he takes his stand <m his decision, instead of assigning the reasons which prompted it. LOAN EXPENDITURE. It is said, by people who ought to know, that the loan expenditure of New South Wales will amount to four millions per annum for the next four or five years. Certainly, the works which urgently need doing would absorb that sum with ease. Whether the programme will be carried out, however, depends on other factors. Will John Bull find the money on reasonable terms? What power will the Commonwealth be .able to exercise over State borrowings? Last, but not least, would not the annual expenditure of so large a. sum draw away from productive work am altogether too large proportion of the people ? NATION BUILDING. The Australian nation builder has a very hard row to. hoe. He has only one man's ability. But he has to shoulder the responsibilities of several men. Still, as in the case of our own Minister for Works, they sit lightly on his shoulders. In other countries investors and shareholders decide whether a given line of railway will be profitable. Capitalists decide whether they will be warranted in coming to their assistance. All that the statesman has to do is to provide the necessary legislative ■ facilities. Those who provide the money, moreover, provide it at their own risk. If they have Ixeem too sanguine they bear the losss. Contrariwise, if there is a profit, they share it. This is the solitary point on which the Australian nation-builder has "the pull." He may gain kudos, but in any ease, he need run no risk of monetary loss. But, on the other hand, he has to shoulder the responsibilities, as bofore remarked, of investor and capitalist. He has to decide which lines shall be continued, and to devise wyas and means for raising the wind. And he does it, in his own fashion. But it speaks-volumes for the natural wealth of Australia that, under such circumstances, the work of national development has been as well carried on, as to-day we find it.