AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 8, 1 May 1900, Page 645

AUSTRALIA.

The struggle over the Commonwealth Bill is still being carried on by the delegates in London. As the best judicial authorities in the Old Country and the Colonies are engaged in its interests, something quite irreproachable and workable should be the result. Many interests depend on the manner in which" it is finally passed, and it is therefore well to study it from all sides, and not miss a single point which might imperil it in the future. It is a Federation which may lead, quoting from South Australia's delegate, to the subsequent federation of the whole Australian Continent with the Motherland. It is interesting to note the different shades of views on the subject held by the Premiers of Australia at present in Melbourne. Mr. Lyne, of New South Wales, advocates caution in not doing

anything to jeopardize the Bill, and opposes further concessions. Tho Queensland and Tasmanian Premiers agree in wishing for the retention of tho appeal to the Privy Council, and allowing West Australia to come in as an original state. Mr. Holder, of South Australia, wants the Bill as it stands, and declares that it is not the Imperial Parliament but Mr. Chamberlain who desires to amend it. Mr. McLean, of Victoria, considers it incumbent on him to stick to the Bill, provided that his adherence to it does not endanger its existence. Summed up, tho Premiers all desire the Bill, puro and unamended, if possible, but if not they will take the appeal to the Privy Council into tho bargain. The Plague still claims its victims in Sydney, notwithstanding all precautionary measures. It is not, however, an unmixed evil. It takes a plaguo, now and again, to call attention to the insanitary conditions iv which we live. Nothing else will do it. Colonial towns, built hurriedly, compared to those in older civilizations, run up by tits and starts, in this direction or that, as the boom of the moment directs are notoriously careless with regard to really effectual drainage schemes. This important item is postponed until some more convenient time, or until, as at present, sanitary commissioners are abroad.