THE COMMONWEALTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3462, 5 January 1901, Page 3

THE COMMONWEALTH.

United Press Association—Per Electrii Telegraph—Copyright. a Received 9.55 a.m., January 4th. i" SYDNEY, January 4. 3 The Telegraph " states that there is growing belief in political circles that tl Federal Ministers intend declaring the policy for the elections so as to dodge tl tariff issue. It is thought that Mr Ba ton will set up a plea that revenue nece sities have had to be paramount, and tbi j individual predilections in the way of pn (. tection have had to be sacrificed in ord< to placate-the great-and growing fre< 5 trade vote throughout the continent. ! he does this, however, he will apparent] bring down upon himself the unremittin opposition of the Victorian Protectionis party. The paper adds that the Fre< traders are preparing for a campaign, sine it has become a certainty that the elec tions will , be fought out on the tarifl The receptions which have been accorde to Mr Reid at all his public appearance ' have caused unlimited' elation amongst th Freetraders. Received 10.14 a.m., January 4th. Lord Hopetoun has sent replies to th messages of congratulation from other coun tries. That to Fiji concludes:—"Mi Ministers hope that • the " relations betweei the Commonwealth and all British posses sions in the Pacific will be such as t( sustain the peaceful power of the Empire.' That to the Governor of Natal concludes : " When the brotherly trust of our fellow subjects in South Africa impels them t< follow our example, we shall not fail tc realise a great accession to the Imperia] . strength and general concord, , and ojii actions will prove . the sincerity of this message." Mr Barton has received a number of messages of congratulation on the birth of the Commonwealth, including messages from Lord Carrington, Sir Gordon Sprigg, and the New Zealand P.ostmaster-General. Mr Ward says: "May the new century see the complete cementing of' the Empire and its continued expansion in the interests of national progress, liberty, equality, and commerce. Not the least important event of the century will be New Zealand's decision to introduce penny postage." Received 9.5 a.m., January 4th. LONDON, January 3. General Gasellee reviewed the British troops to Pekin on January Ist, partly in honour of the inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth. Count Von Waldersee was present at the review. General Gaselee afterwards entertained the Australian officers at, Tientsin. The British officers entertained the officers of the Victorian contingents in honour of the Commonwealth. A Commonwealth banquet was held at Mafekmg among the Australians belonging to the Earl of ErrolPs Brigade. Colonel Kelly presided. One of the Tasmanian officers gave the toast of the evening. MELBOURNE, January 4. The " Argus" says that the people and Government of New South Wales may be thanked as well- as congratulated by the other Federated States for the manner in which the colony inaugurated the Commonwealth. The proceedings were magnificent, and the national' demonstration in pieturesqueness and splendour surpassed every other historic function .anywhere. The Australian Commonwealth had, been launched with' the ceremonial, pomp, and display which befitted the occasion. 1 No" discordant note was struck by that large section of Sydney people which was lately agitated by any doubts and fears as to the idea and terms of union. Anti-federalism has iio fear of antibillism, which will have itsi constituional support in the unity and seeking of 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. The Government of the United Kingom is taking the Commonwealth is heartily, hailed by the pledge and future progress.* England shares our jubilation; indeed the contented, prosperous, hopeful, loyal, Commonwealth is an opportune object lesson which England can ask all the civilised world to ponded over, x and is a answer to all the calumnies about the tyranny of British ambition and authority. What the world is now challenged to behold in Australia, England is wishful to reproduce in. South Africa. The ideal of the British Empire is an Empire of happy Commonwealths ; so the Commonwealth is a, shining testimony to the just, kindly, and enlightened character of Britain's governing; a policy which will vindicate Britain before other nations and strengthen her for •further service in the of humanity. The " Age" says that Australian. Federation has been inaugurated with a splendid pageant worthy of "those who organised it; worthy of the day it was intended to commemorate. The festivities extending over weeks were framed j>n a scale befitting the birth of a nation, while special honours have been bestowed by the sovereign upon the federal, leaders, and thus nothing is wanting in commemorating' an event of the. deepest significance to the people. The consummation is complete and popular satisfaction will 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 a mission, that is an enlightened and beneficient humanitarian mission that aims at ameliorating the condition of the race. In a leading article on the Federal Minis- i try the "Age" says that it is thoroughly liberal and protectionist. It cannot be called an accident, but a part of a wellconsidered design that the Premier has given the Cabinet an out and out party complexion. - What has happened is the only thing that could happen. A preponderance of the protectionist element was a necessity of the situation. No Vietorian man of mark could have taken office in a Freetrade Cabinet, and a Cabinet in which Victoria/ was not adequately represented would be foredoomed to failure. As for any revival of freetrade it is a pleasant myth.

SYDNEY, January 4. Owing to the difficulty of providing fish for the immense concourse of visitors in Sydney, His Eminence the Cardinal lias given a general permission to use meat throughout the city and suburbs. The Catholic press explains that Cardinal Moran refused to attend the Commonwealth procession and banquet because he was not allotted precedence to the Primate. It states that the Premier informed the Cardinal's private secretary on Monday night that the committee of management had awarded precedence to the Primate, and that the Government did not see their way to upset the arrangement. Under the circumstances Cardinal Moran decided to take no part in any social function till his due position was recognised. The other Catholic Bishops visiting Sydney refused to- participate, con- 1 sidering that an insult had been' offered to the Catholic body. The day has been devoted to sport and other purely social functions. Despite sweltering heat there was a big attendance, including a, large sprinkling of visiting military at ' the Sydney cricket ground, where an athletic programme comprising 77 events, and over 1000 entrants, including most of the Australian champions and a number of New Zealand and other visiting athletes took part. The various championship races were well contested. W. Simpson, Christcllurch, won tha three mile running championship in 15min 45 3-ssec, and Smith, Queensland, the mile championship of Australasia in 4min 47 3-ssec. The aquatic demonstration in the afternoon was a big success. There was a large gathering on the flagship H?.M. Britannic, including the Admiral, the Premier, and a number of distinguished visitors. The Governor was unable to be present, but lie watched the regatta from Government House grounds, where he was entertaining the officers of the Indian Contingents. The warshin Boomerang's crew won the cutrace, the Royal Arthur the gigs race. Matinees were given at several theatres. Another function was the opening by Mr Barton of the Commonwealth Exhibition of Australian art. The harbour presented a gorgeous spectacle to-night. Never before was such a magnificent display of fireworks. The Mokoia, with Mr Seddon, Mr Carroll, the members of Parliaments and 1000 guests viewed the beautiful scene. The Southland Band and Maori Contingent were on board, while T—'—"l->i -with another ]ot of

and members of Contingent went down the bay-To-day a handsomely illuminated address of welcome was presented by the NewZealanders to Mr Sgddon on board the Tutanekei. Mr Seddon in a lengthy reply a thanked the New Zealanders for the cor--0 diality of their welcome and referred to r the doings of the troops in South Afa rica. Referring to the' question of New Zealand joining the federation, a committee would report. The only thing was k that Australia should suspend judgment and New Zealand do the same, and trust » them to do what was right. Something would be done to "bring Australia and New p Zealand closer together. He believed that r if New Zealand had taken part in the r various conventions it would only have hampered the efforts for federation of the ' Australian States. Touching on the Is- , land question, he said New Zealand's in- ' tentions were to make them British. They could not altogether trust the Imperial authorities. After what had happened in New Guinea and Samoa they would yet allow New Hebrides to slip into foreign hands. He did no care) whether New Zealand or Australia had the Islands. He had received a cable from Fiji via Auckland in which it was alleged that a clergyman well known there was likely to be deported by the Governor because he had the courage to advocate federation and give the people of the Crown colony political freedom. It was further stated that if the clergyman was deported it would lead to a serious rising in the district to which he belonged. At a banquet given by Mr Witheford to the troops, Lieutenant Hughes and Corporal Burford, of the Black Watch, responded for the Army. Burford was one of the few who escaped slaughter at Magersfontein. He spoke feelingly of the good comradeship of the colonials. Mr Carroll responded on behalf of the Government, and eulogised the host for entertaining the troops. HOBART, January 4. Requisitions are being prepared all over the southern districts protesting against Mr Barton's treatment of Tasmania, in forming the Federal Cabinet, and urging that Mr Lewis shpuld have refused to accept a honorary position. Received 12.39 a.m., January sth. PARIS, January 4. The Paris newspapers express a fear that the Australian Commonwealth will apply the Monroe Doctrine to the Pacific, causing embarrassment. LONDON, January 4. . The " Standard " welcomed Sir W. Lyne's graceful assurance that he had forgotten his doubts in regard to Federation,- and now heartiily co-operates. The paper says that the story of the festivities reads like ; a chapter in the "Arabian Nights." Per Press Association. i WELLINGTON, January 4. j The acting-Premier has received the fal- ( lowing cablegram from Mr Lewis, Pre- ( mier of Tasmania:—The only regret pos- j sible for one to feel when Australia is at last united, after many years of patient ( thought and labour, is that New Zealand- , does not start side by side with her sister , States, It is' sincerely to be hoped that j the time is not far distant when she will j take part in the union, and then Austra- j lasia with a united voice will add to the ( influence of the British Empire upon the s civilisation and progress of the world and •( beco-ne a factor in the establishment and ] maintenance of universal peace. ]