The Legislative Assembly of Queensland is again being -asked to
divide the Colony into three Provinces, Northern, Southern, and Middle. Each province is to be like a province -of the Dominion of Canada, with a separate Executive and Legislature. They are to possess, however, a Federal -Government with two Houses, one elected by the sub- ordinate Legislatures, and the other by the ordinary electors of the provinces. The Governor would, of course, be the Governor of the whole Colony, and practically the Central -Government would possess the powers of the Government of Ottawa. Sir Samuel Griffith, the Premier, in introducing the measure, made no pretence of liking it, but in effect told the House that if they did not pass it, the Colonial Office would -erect North Queensland into an entirely separate Colony. As Sir Samuel Griffith pointed out, the measure will assist the work of federating the whole Australian Continent. When Federation is accomplished, the Central Government will be merged in the Government of the Commonwealth of Aus- tralia, and the provinces of Queensland will fall into place as provinces of the Commonwealth. We trust that the Bill may pass, and that its effect will soon be felt. Australia can never do herself justice while she has five distinct and separate -tariffs to four million people.
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