AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 9037, 4 January 1901, Page 2

AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD.

THE IDEAL OF BRITISH EMPIRE

PRESS OPINIONS ON i THE COMMONWEALTH.

. Eleokio Telegraph— Copyright— United Press Auaooiauon,; (Received January 4, 9.35 a.m.)' MELBOURNE, Jan. 4. The Argus says the people and Government of New South 'Wales may' be thanked as well as congratulated by the other federated States lor the manner m which they inaugurated' the Commonwealth. The proceedings were a magnificent national demonstration, and m their picturesqueness and splendor surpassed every other historic function anywhere. The Australian Conimonwealth's ceremonial, pomp, 'and display befitted the occasion. No discordant, note was struck by. that large section of Sydney people which was recently agitated .by doubts and fears as to the ideal terms of union. Anti-Federalism has no fu ture; anti-Biilism will have as constitutional opportunity, for seeking amendments. Not the least among the sources of. Australian satisfaction is the thought that the established Commonwealth is heartily hailed by the people and Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom. "Taking ! the Commonwealth as. a grand prooj; of .the past pledge;of future progress,! England shares .our jubilation. Indeed,; the contented, prosperous, "hopeful, loyal Commonwealth is an opportune object leSson which England; can ask all the civflised world .to ponder over, and is creating an answer to all calumnies about the tyranny of British ambition and authority. What the world is now challenged to behold m Australia,, England is j wishful to produce m South Africa. The ideal of the Bntash. Empire is an Empire happy, a Commonwealth, so the Commonwealth is a shining testimony to the just, kindly, and enlightened character! of Great Britam s governing -policy. We vindicate Britain before the other nations, and strengthen her for further service of humanity. . . The Age says Australian Federation has been inaugurated ?with a splendid pageant .worthy of those who organised it, and worthy of the day it was intended to commemorate. The festivities extending over a week were framed on a scale befitting the birth of a nation, while special honors had been bestowed by the Sovereign upon the Federal leaders, and thus nothing was wanting! to commemorate an event of the deepest, significance to our people. The consummation was complete, and popular satisfaction would be heightened by the knowledge that many of those who fought hard and unselfishly, for Federation .have met a fitting reward. The destiny of United Australia should be the, fulfilment of. her mission, that is,, an enlightened, beneficient, humanitarian mission that aims at ameliorating the condition of the race. In a leader on the Federal Ministry, the Age says it is thoroughly liberal and protectionist.. It cannot be ah accident, but part of a well-considered design, that the Premier has, giyen the Cabinet an out-and-out party complexion. What has 1 happened is the. only thing that could happen. The preponderance of the protectionist element was a necessity of the situation. No Victorian man of mark could take office m a freetrade Cabinet, and a Cabinet m which Victoria was not adequately represented was foredoomed to failure. As for any revival of freetrade, it is a pleasant myth. j