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our union, and having a right to use the scaffolding with which they finished their great work, we ought, with greater ease, build up a greater and more perfect organisation than theirs. "Not practicable!" says a writer on this subject, "there is already in some respects substantial unity. . . . . The affinities of race, religion, politics, ideas, and national sentiment are exercising mutual attractions. Every telegraph wire that crosses the border is an additional thread to connect, and every railway line a bolt to rivet the colonies together."
Conclusion.
If the expediency of a scheme may aid its practical accomplishment then this last argument should carry weight. In a few words, it is expedient, because it will bring population from Great Britain and elsewhere. It will enable us to borrow from the English market very much cheaper than now. It will lead to capitalists and others investing Trust and other funds, seeing the security we offer is so good. It will give us a uniform gauge of railway-line right through each colony, thus cheapening cost of carriage. It will enable us to thoroughly defend our shores from invasion. It means the adoption of uniform time, tariffs, and taxation. And lastly, for our Island-Continent it means such future greatness that we of today little dream of, whilst for South Australia it means the opening up of many new markets for our wheat, wool, wine, fruit, and other productions; and as Port Darwin will be the Brindisi of Australia the British and foreign steamers will land their passengers and cargo there, from whence, by our transcontinental line, they will reach each colony of the Empire, thus reducing the time coming from the old world, besides giving us great commercial advantages.
It will do all this—it will do more. It will bind into one common union seven great colonies whose territory is vast, whose resources are prolific, and whose people are loyal—and in these "Southern Seas" shall arise a powerful Empire, whose influence will reach to every civilised nation, and whose good wishes old Empires will be proud to own and strive to maintain.
"Hail! our Australia?
Girt by the sea,
Sons of the summer land,
Brothers are we.
Ring out our battle-cry!
March at its call:
'Each for the Commonwealth,
God for us all.'
Comrades Australian,
Foemen of wrong!
Fending the feeble, tight!
Fight, and be strong!
Shoulder to shoulder stand!
Stand like a wall!
Each for the Commonwealth,
God for us all."—Selected.
