THE COMMONWEALTH

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9832, 3 January 1901, Page 2

THE COMMONWEALTH

Fire Brigades Demonstration,

Bejoicings in London.

.Pel I'rests Association—Copyright.)

LONDON, January 1.

The Australian flag was hoisted at the Mansion House at two o'clock on Monday afternoon as an indication that the century had begun and the Australian Commonwealth been inaugurated.

The bell of Bow Church rang peals. The New South Wales agency general was decorated.

Midnight services were held in Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and most of the other cathedrals, churches! and chapels.

A dense crowd gathered round St.' Paul's at midnight and sang Auld Lang Syne. There were joyful celebrations abroad. The Times publishes Mr. J, Brunton Stephens' poem " Australia, and quotes it in a leading article. A copy of the poem was sent to the Queen.

The Standard refers to the remarkable pageant id Sydney, . opening a fresh and virgin chapter in the history of the Anglo Saxon race, and as a solemn recognition of the fact that Britain has successfully completed anott.er of those mighty enterprises entrusted to its hands. The consummation of Australian unity marks a new epoch in the life of a nation and a new victory for liberty. ;

The Times, commenting on the Commonwealth celebrations, says that Britain will be able to face the fiery ordeal of the future hopefully, enjoying the great advantage that our race', is not confined to the British Isles. It felicitates the birth of a great federated state in the Pacific.

AN UNIQUE EXHIBITION

Australia for the Queen's gracious message. TEey heartily join in her Majesty's hope that Divine Providence may grant an increase of prosperity and well-being to her devoted subjects of this new nation and it is the earnest desire of these subjects that Her Noble and Gracious Majesty will be spared to watch and encourage the development of the Empire in peace, mutual trust and love.

The second message says: "At the request of my Ministers I desire to express their gratification at the way in which, the message from the Queen has been everywhere received. They do believe that by federation those communities which have divided the tasks and-responsibilities of Australia and Tasmania a further step has been taken towards a permanent Empire. They also wish to express their confidence that no desire or ability on the part of the States to render sen-ices to tho Queen or Empire will be diminished but on the contrary both will be enhanced by the -union of the forces and resources of the Commonwealth."

Two other messages describe the enthusiasm, Lord Hopetoun stating that the plaudits of the people testify to their high appreciation of the Queen's choice of himself, and her action in sending the Imperial troops lo grace the ceremony.