The Australian Federation Bill received the Queen's Assent on Monday,
and Mr. Barton will take back with him to Australia not merely the statute signed in duplicate by the Queen, but the table, inkstand, and pen at and with which was accomplished the final act for the establishment of the great new Republic within the Empire,—a State worthy to stand beside Canada in the splendid roll of daughter-States. It would be difficult to imagine, and practically impossible to erect, a freer and more independent and more democratic form of government than that established in Australia. If tt e will of the people does not prevail in the Commonwealth it will be solely the fault of the people. It is because of this complete self-government and freedom from control from home that we regard the establishment of the Australian Commonwealth as an act of Imperial consolidation. Its passage has greatly rednced the possibility of a break- up of the Empire. We are glad to note from his words to a representative of the Daily Telegraph that Mr. Barton realises as folly as do thoughtful men here that the faller the self-government of the parts the safer the Empire as a whole. If Irish-Australians ask us in regard to this: ' How about Home-rule ?' we will ask them to think what they would do if thirty years hence two-thirds of the people of Queensland ask to take the whole of Queensland out of the Common- wealth and to establish a separate government of their own. Will not the answer be an unhesitating Maintain the Union at all costs ? '
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