AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1802, 18 December 1896, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

A FORWARD MOVEMENT. At the Bathurst Convention on the 20th ult., on the motion of Professor Morris (Melbourne University), it was resolved—"That this People's Convention, composed as it is of delegates from various colonies and places distant from each other, recognising the present importance and future potentiality of the great colony of Queensland, as well as the patriotism of its citizens, is of opinion that no federation of Australia can be regarded as complete without the co-operation of that colony, and desire earnestly to appeal to the Premier and Cabinet of Queensland to take such step 3 as may be necessary to enable its Parliament without delay to pass a Bill providing for the election of delegates to the statutory Convention, and would urge that patriotism called "apon Ihem to, adopt a method of election which may seem to them best rather than not to appoint delegates at all," Cardinal Moran, in addressing the Convention, said that the popular sentiment throughout tho colonies and the genuine patriotism of Australia's sons were with the Convention in this great movement. He trusted that they would not relax their efforts until the banner of united Australia, which was so auspiciously unfurled at the People's Convention, was made a symbol of glorious victory. He dealt with the questions of the increased influence which must accrue from confederation and the strength which would follow in defence purposes. He also argued that the loyalty of the colonies to the Queen would not be interfered with by federation, and said he was confident that when the interests of united Australia required independent government it would be obtained with the approval of the Home authorities, and so that the mutual friendship of the colonies with the Empire would remain undisturbed. There was no doubt they were equal to such an event. Everything told of great things already accomplished, and spoke of energy of spirit and of enterprise on the part of our gifted people, equal to any destiny, no matter how grand or how glorious, that might sway the southern con- | tinent. He deprecated the attempts made from time to time to stir up foolish dissensions among citizens on the plea of difference in matters of religion. Religion had its own safeguards, and moved in its own higher sphere. He had no fears for the future of the religion of Australia. To Catholic people he would say : " Go hand in hand with your Protestant fellow citizens in every measure that may have for its purpose to advance the interests, to develop the resources, or promote the welfare of Australia !" As a motto for United Australia he would inscribe on the triple leaf of shamrock, which he loved so well: " Patriotism, prosperity, peace." Premier Reid said he could not regard the situation of the federal movement as satisfactory in the absence of representatives of Queensland from the national Convention. So deeply was he impressed by that fact that he proposed to visit Queensland in order to use his utmost exertions with the Government of that colony, so that some way might be found out of the difficulty which had arisen there. Dealing with the Commonwealth Bill, he said in the main he accepted it, but there were certain radical defects which made it a Bill dangerous for the people of the colonies to accept. Already one of the ablest men, and perhaps the one who had most to do with the drafting of that BiU, had declared publicly that its provisions were after all unworkable. He referred to Sir Henry Parkes as " the most illustrious advocate of the movement of federation," and deeply regretted that he had been removed by the hand of death. It had been felt that federation should not come until the people themselves were prepared to bring it into existence. They should not wait to bring it into existence after their destiny had been framed, or to pub simply a formal seal upon the constitution, but should send into the National Convention as representative of themselves and their principles men who were able to frame a constitution. It would be no easy task to frame a constitution to give free play to the national forces, and it would be entirely impossible to set about the task of federation if they remained under the dominance of provincial ideas. He then referred to the necessities for federation, particularly in the matter of defence, and said no doubt this continent would be exposed to the shock of battle and attask, and we should strive to place our resources for defence in such a position that when the moment came Australians would find themselves well disciplined, well armed and well led, so that if called upon to shed their blood they might at least imitate those thin red lines of British valor which had so often changed the stubborn resistance of heroic despair into triumphs of immortal victory. Mr Edmund Barton, Q.C., Baid there must be equality of representation in the second Chambea, and two Chambers. It was essential to provide for the representation of the people in their individual capacity according to majorities, in order that every law passed by the Federal Parliament might be sanctioned by the majority of the people and a majority of the States. Mr Lyne (Leader of the Opposition in the New South Wales Assembly) said a great j tribute was due to the Convention of 1891 I for the good work they did in submitting the Commonwealth Bill, to which the Bathurst Convention had given a very con siderable endorsement so far as the greater j principles were concerned. There could be : no better proof of the earnestness of the community for federation than the present; : gathering, and probably the example of Bathurst would be emulated in other centres throughout the colonies.