The Federation of Australia.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 November 1900, Page 146

The Federation of Australia.

We see, in thund'rous sway, a world Equipped to wield a nations power, The graceless past behind her hurled — The empty greatness of an hour. Oh ! people of these Southern lands, Your lofty future hold in awe, Keep cleanly free your faithful hands, To rule a State in righteous law.

Let commerce keep its rightful place, Put first of all our brotherhood ; Uphold the prestige of our race, And Anglo-Saxon motherhood ; When in your grasp your freedom lies, Let other's rights be sacred too, Think not the people's rule implies The dire oppression of the few.

Fall liberty within the State Is often made the plea for wrong, Let not this license stir your hate, Let not the weak be slaved of strong ; Let laws be forged in love, not fear, Let justice blot out colour-line, And manhood's rights in equal sphere In one united law combine.

And that your free, unfettered aim Which greets the dawn of this new life, May not be made a thing of shame, Or overwhelmed in human strife, Let not your country's glorious age Be pledged to mean and selfish fate, Let her not rank in history's page As one afraid of being great.

Then let the rival States be one, And each its splendid powers increase, Let petty jealousies be gone, Let tariff wars for ever cease ; Let all in mutual trust agree, And consecrate your glowing youth, With all your future great and free, To Q-od, to justice, and to truth.

Patrick J, Nolan.