426 



The Review of Reviews. 



Vovember 1, 1906. 



concerned. Nearly all of the States have held up 

 the red flag at some time or other in the short life 

 of the Federation as a kind of threat, but the West 

 Australian flag has a more bellicose-looking tint 

 than any of the others have had. It cannot be 

 denied that feeling is strong. Perhaps it is natural 

 too. West Australia is in such a geographical posi- 

 tion as to make her feel lonely. The State is thinlv 

 populated, and the only connecting link between it 

 and the more populous parts is steam communica- 

 tion. And the Australian Bight is notoriously un- 

 easy and hard on weak stomachs. It is hardly to 

 be wondered at therefore that the West feels a' bit 

 "out of things." Indeed, so far as nearness and 

 -communication are concerned. New Zealand might 

 as well be in the Federation. The West contains so 

 many who have gone from the East that family ties 

 are close and home interests strong. And the 

 railway was practically promised. 



But to make it. That is the diffi- 

 A fine culty. It certainly does seem a 



Opportunity. stupendous task to' undertake. So 

 much of it would pass through un- 

 profitable country, and money is scarce. But a bar- 

 gain is a bargain, and should be carried out. It is 

 to be hoped, however, that West Australia will rise 

 to the position. She has a right to feel aggrieved, 

 but the end in view is still less likely to be gained 

 if she were separated from the Federation. Her 

 chance lies ahead of her, in the general elections, 

 and in the return of men who will advocate her 

 claims so strenuously that they will be established. 

 But secession must not be thought of. The ten- 

 dency must be to bind, not to segregate. Surelv 

 there is no truth in the statement that the West in- 

 tends to boycott the East with regard to goods. 

 These are weapons that sister States should not 

 use. Safety lies in welding together, and making 

 the welfare of the States interdependent. It ma\ 

 be true that the Parliaments have not fulfilled the 

 people's ideals. At any rate the people must blame 

 themselves if they are no better, seeing that they 

 elected them ; and the remedy for suspected neglect 

 does not lie in division, but in returning a set of 

 men who will have a truer regard for progress. Go- 

 vernments have not been to blame so much as the 

 Party System, coupled with the many sections in the 

 House. 



Speaking of electing men to carry 



A Note out necessary reforms provokes a 



of Warning, word of warning in view of Federal 



elections. The Bill introduced to 

 the House of Representatives by the Postrhaster- 

 General, authorising him to disconnect telephones 

 which he had reasonable ground for supposing were 

 being used in furtherance of gaming or betting, or 

 any illegal or immoral purpose, has had 

 a somewhat stormy passage. This is a sinis- 

 ter fact. Strangely enough, some of the La- 

 bour party were among its bitterest opponents. 



This provokes thought. The Gaming Bill in the 

 New South Wales House was voted against in its 

 second reading by the Labour Party. The Licens- 

 ing and Gaming Bills in the Victorian House are 

 opposed by a number of the Labour Party. What 

 does it mean ? Surely not that the party which 

 professes to stand for everything that tends to uplift 

 the community is going to support some of the 

 things which make most for the degradation of 

 people. It is to be hoped not, for everyone 

 naturally expects the Labour Party to be the natural 

 foe of national vices. But the point is this. Com- 

 paratively little interest is being taken in the Federal 

 elections. Why, one cannot tell, unless it is that 

 the matters discussed in Federal halls do not seem 

 to touch the immediate needs of the people like 

 State matters, although as a matter of fact they 

 do. But there is a lack of interest, and it is lament- 

 able. There are great ethical questions which the 

 Federal Parliament may settle, and unless the peo- 

 ple take the best men that are offering thev may 

 find themselves with a big work on their hands by- 

 and-bye, to clear the Houses of members who are 

 opposed to reform. Social reform ought to play 

 a big part in Federal as in State elections, for the 

 general welfare of the people is bound up in it. 

 Everv " Review of Reviews " reader is urged to try 

 to galvanise his or her immediate circle into a keen 

 interest. Tjme is short, and some sections, de- 

 cidedly not those for reform, are getting every avail- 

 able friendly name on the roll. It is no use lament- 

 ing when the ballot box is closed. 



riie 



Premier Price has the courage of 



South Australian ^is convictions He has resigned 

 Crisis. o^'*^"" the Legislative (ouncil fran- 



chise Bill. A complete statement 

 of the position was given in last month's " Review 

 of Reviews " by Captain Smeaton, whose prophecy 

 of a dissolution has been fulfilled. Conferences 

 have been held between the two Houses, 

 but no satisfactory agreement could be arrived at. 

 The utmost the Council managers would agree to 

 was an immediate referendum of their electors on 

 the question of the reduction of the qualification on 

 the assessed annual value instead of on the annual 

 or rental values. So Mr. Price asked the Governor 

 for a dissolution of the Assembly. The Governor, 

 however, insisted that every means of carrving on 

 the Goxernnient should be exhausted so as to save 

 the expense of an election. Mr. Price therefore 

 resigned, and Mr. Butler was sent for. He failed, 

 and Mr. Price was again sent for. He has secured 

 a dissolution. 



Everyone must admire Mr. Price's 

 A Desirable pluck, and it is to be hoped that 

 Result. he will get the solid support of the 



community. In the first pi ice, the 

 work he is doing over the Council is a very neces- 

 sary one. .At present reform is sinipiv blocked. 



