DISAPPOINTED FEDERALISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12070, 13 September 1902, Page 4

DISAPPOINTED FEDERALISTS.

The still-born attempt to induce the West Australian Parliament to adopt a secessionist resolution is beins followed by a more ambitious effort in Tasmania. The Legislature of the Island-State is being asked to organise a confederacy, with Queensland and West Australia as co-partners, " to secure separation from the Commonwealth." But although it is quite possible that Federation might not now be carried in Australia were the voting to i recur, there is no constitutional escape for any minority. The Federal Parliament might pass a Bill dissolving the federation, and this would become law when approved by the Crown, and endorsed by an enactment of the Imperial Parliament. But the minority cannot pass such a Bill, and the Constitution contains no clause permitting secession. This may be hard on ', States that change their minds, but '.there could be no finality if the conditions of federation were less Stringent. Tasmania and her confederates must devote their energies t<}> securing a Federal majority more congenial to their tastes, advice wliich New Zealand can cheerfully offer, having been happy enough to escape the popular enthusiasm which the fickle Tasmanian politician, is now busily regretting.