Australian Federation.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 17

Australian Federation.

The question of Australian Federation is certainly, if it cannot be called a " burning question," is at all events one of the most prominent topics of the day. Its importance is> on all sides acknowledged, but there are many difficulties in the way of its achievement which will have to be removed before it can be brought about. In no small degree local jealousies affect tho question, and prevent a calm dispassionate discussion of it. Then again tho tariffs of tho wholo of the colonies would have to be assimilated. The seat of Government would have to be fixed satisfactorily, and that would not easily be decided upon. That Australia will in the future be federated there cau bo no doubt, in fact it will become a nece c sity of the development of the colonies, which is likely as time progresses to be even more rapid than it has in the past. It has been estimated that in a century hence there will be in Australia a population of 50 millions ! Thit there is abundance of room for that number on this vast island continent none will deny. With such a population, or, indeed, with a much smaller number, it is scarcely likely that the colonies will remain separate and distinct as at present, or indeed that the connection with Great Britain, which is at present so advantageous, will he maintained. It is rather surprising when the enterprising nature of the Australian people is remembered, that so little has be^n done in the direction of exploration of Central Australia. It is, and, indeed, is for some time likely to be, a veritable terra incognito. Certainly a survey of a railway lino has been made right through from the north to the south of of South Australia, but, beyond that, no exploration of Central Australia has been made with a view to ascertaining the character of the country. Of course that would speedily follow the construction of the line, the completion of which will be the beginning of a new era in Australian history. With iucrease of population and growing importance it will be an absolute necessity for the colonies to federate. At present it is mainly spoken of as being desirable for.tnany reasons. The matter from different standpoints is variously viewed. Such, however, is not the case with Warner's Safe Cure, regarding the efficacy of which there is no difference of opinion amongst the thousands of colonists who, through its agency, have obtained relief from suffering and restoration to health. From every quarter, and by people in all classes of society, cheerful evidence has been given as to the marvellous effects it has in federating disorganised constitution::.

The Rabbit Conference has dispersed to meet ii Sydney some time hence after the experiments with 11. Pasteur's chicken cholera have been completed. Mr Bell, the New Zealand representative, is on his way home, ,