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taxation, and any other matter of national interest. (7) All powers to be properly defined, so that it will not interfere with the internal working of the various Colonial Parliaments. (8) Period of duration, five years; but four colonies may demand a dissolution.
The Governor-General.—(1) To be appointed by Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, after the wishes of the colonies have been consulted. (2) Term of office, seven years, with right of removal at any time should he cease to represent our Empire. (3) To be the President of the Federal Parliament. As such he will represent the "stability, authority, and dignity of the British Empire," thus helping to bind together these two great Empires.
The Colonial Government.—(1) To be elected by ballot by the people of their respective colonies. (2) Term of office, three years, or during good behavior. (3) To be native-born and not under forty years of age. (4) To have a seat in their own Colonial Parliaments as Presidents. (5) To be a member of the Federal Parliament, in virtue of high office of Governor.
The Federal Representatives.—(1) Each colony to appoint three. (2) To be elected by ballot by the members of both Houses of Parliament from the members of the Upper House or the Ministry. (3) Term, three years, or during good behavior. Having a seat in their respective Colonial Parliaments they will be in touch with the wants of their Separate colonies. It has been proved in America that a better class of men as Representatives are to be found in the Senate, than in the House elected by the people. The latter, it is contended, elects politicians; the former, statesmen. Therefore, federal representatives should be chosen from the ranks of the ablest men in the Legislative Council. A writer has said, "that if Australian democracy determines to elect the federal representatives by the voice of the people, and not by the Parliaments, they will incur a risk of perishing miserably among the shoals of Democracy."
Federal City.—It should be central, because it will be the London of Australasia. In looking at the map, geographically our own fair city (Adelaide) claims that position. Confessedly it is a difficult problem to solve. Sydney claims it on the ground of seniority; Melbourne, because of its rapid growth and vitality; and Adelaide deserves it because of its suitability every way. Sir Henry Parkes has said that New South Wales will not agree to Melbourne being that city, because, he says it will "give it the lion's share in all things;" but he would be quite willing that Sydney should become so distinguished, and has since said that Albury should be the city. Now there are two modes of getting over the difficulty—one is to hold the Federal Parliament alternately in each city, beginning with Sydney. This would certainly place each in the same position, but a very strong argument against this would be as to where the Governor-General's residence should be. Although he might be quite prepared to attend the Federal Parliament when held in either colony, yet we could not expect him to change his residence each year. If he were willing to do so, this plan would necessitate building a costlier
