THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1895,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10015, 30 December 1895, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1895,

The long-pending question of the federation of the Australian colonies has at last reached n stage at which the attainment of this important object comes within clearly measurable distance. The Federal Enabling Bill has just become law, in nearly identical terms, in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, the remaining continental colonies and Tasmania being committed to legislation on the same lines. This matter has been so long before the public mind, and so many promising starts have been made in connection with it, that doubts may possibly bo entertained as to the realisation of the scheme till it is an accomplished fact. But there are features in connection with the present stage that give grounds for belief that the movement is at last really on the road to success. This measure is the result of the meoting of Premiers held last year at Hobart, at which it was resolved to practically begin de novo, placing the movement on a more popular basis, and giving it a moro truly representative character than it ever had before. Though the Federal Conventions held in Melbourne and Sydney five or six years ago, were partially representative,inasmuch as the delegates were officially appointed by the various Governments, they had not that character of being directly the expression of the popular will which comes of direct representation.

The distinguishing feature of the action now taken is that from first to last every step must be made under the direct control of the popular voice, the Parliaments of the several colonies having only reserved .to them the right of finally vetoing or ratifying the adoption of the Act of Federation. The principal novelty of the present scheme is creating a Convention by popular election for the purpose of framing a Constitution Bill. The delegates to this Convention are to be elected on the ordinary Parliamentary suffrage, and on the principle of oue man-one-vote, in the proportion of ten delegates from each of the colonies. After these delegates have met and determined 011 a scheme for the federal government of the colonies, the popular will is to be again consulted by a" Referendum," in accordance with which the electors throughout all Australia will have the opportunity of determining whether they shall or shall not federate on the particular lines laid down in the Bill adopted by the Convention. Should the resolution be in the affirmative, there is still the further protection against hasty action in the requirement that the Bill so framed by the Convention, and affirmed on Referendum, shall be submitted to each of the Parliaments for their fiat or rejection. It will be thus seen that the utmost precautions will bo used against an inconsiderate adoption of a union from which, when once formed, there can be no withdrawal. It is understood, though the limitation is not imposed on the Convention, that the Commonwealth Bill, prepared by the Sydney Convention of 1891, will bo taken as the basis of the measure to bo considered at the coming Convention, the general favour extended to its main principles by popular opinion throughout all the colonies, showing that it fairly meets the requirements. In fact it appears to have been chiefly party jealousies and intrigue that delayed its adoption before now; but the absolute removal of the discussion of the details from the Parliaments, to a high Court specially constituted for the purpose, and one entirely exempt from party considerations, will have the effect of raising the ' subject to a higher plane and of better i ensuring results untainted by the evil influences that so commonly pervert Parliamentary action. It may also be regarded as an important factor in the success of this movement that Sir Henry Parkes has been thrust aside from politics. Though 110 other name has been so prominently associated with the federal question, his making it at all times a mere pawn in the game of party politics, when in power himself, and his insidious resistance to any effort on the part of j others in the direction of federation, ! have successfully baulked the move-

ment; and there is probably nothing besides so auspicious or hopeful in the present stage of the movement as Sir Henry's absence from public life, I D the interval of delay, however, it is quite evident that the federal feeling has been steadily growing, and tin indications are that a much more satisfactory union of the colonics will now be achieved than would have been attained had the movement been brought to a head five or six yean ago.

Though we are not in this colony personally interested in tht federation of the Continental States of Australia, Iwe cannot be insensible to the interestMg nature of tho incident., as well as it* importance to the colonies and to the Empire. It has been wisely determined by the general public opinion of this, colony that we should not form a , part iu the Australian Federation. This is recognised even in Australia, as not arising Irom any lack of fraternal feeling on the part of this colony, but solely from the fact that in some of t.li<; principal purposes of federation our interests are not identical. In defence, for instance, wo could not benefit from an common organization of military forces, while on questions of colonization, and its complexities— from vast areaj of tropical lands in Australia, destined ta be utilised through coloured labour— we would not be desirous to participate in the methods of colonization and the consequent legislation with which the Continental States must bo concerned. But though not connected by organif union, there will be the utmost desire to cultivate the closest commercial an/ other relations; besides which thii colony cannot but look on this ap proaching consolidation of Australian States as one of the most interesting and important incidents in the history of the Empire, of which they and \vg shall, we trust, for ever form an integral part,