National Life in Australia 243 



ates, the choice fell upon Tumut, possibly from 

 the fear of creating at Eden a rival port to Sydney 

 and Melbourne. When this choice was referred 

 to the Senate for approval, Bombala was at once 

 substituted for Tumut, the explanation being 

 that the less populous and more distant states 

 naturally wished the capital to be near a seaport 

 town, and were able to give effect to their wishes 

 in the Chamber where all states have equal re- 

 presentation. Parliament was soon afterwards 

 dissolved without the dispute having been settled, 

 but the incident is recounted here as showing how 

 the old State rivalries still affect national ques- 

 tions, and also the safeguard to the less powerful 

 states constituted by the Senate. 



The creation of a Federal capital, where no 

 State influence is paramount, suggests fresh pos- 

 sibilities to the Australian, and especially to the 

 Australian of the bush, who has been for so long 

 ruled for the benefit of the capital of his state. 

 The idea of an undertaking entered upon, not 

 for the good of Brisbane, or Sydney, or Adelaide, 

 but for the good of Australia, is a new one, but 

 it is none the less pleasant. Perth, the capital 

 of Western Australia, has no railway commun- 

 ication with the Eastern States. The people of 

 Western Australia might build a line, reaching 

 to the border line of South Australia, without in 

 any way ameliorating their isolated position. 

 South Australia is intent upon a line connecting 

 Adelaide on its southern coast with Palmerston 



