454 



The Review of Reviews'^ 



Noveviber 1, 1906. 



Constitution of their constitutional rights which be- 

 longed to them as Englishmen. 



Limited space precludes anything like an exhaus- 

 tive treatment of this, to my mind, very interesting 

 and important subject. I hope it may commend 

 itself to our politicians and leaders of thought and 

 action throughout the Commonwealth. In this con- 

 nection, I would draw the attention of vour readers 

 to the splendid example of that great English- 

 speaking nation, the United States of America. 

 Commencing with the thirteen original States, which 

 were gradually carved out of the two original plan- 

 tations, these now embrace no less than 20 self- 

 governing States, while other 28 States have been 

 carved out of the territories, making 48 in all. Ad- 

 ditional States will eventually be car\-ed out of the 

 remaining territories. Many of the States of the 

 American Union are verv small in area, compared 

 with the area of our Victoria. 



There can be no doubt that not only Queens- 

 land, but also the who!e Commonwealth, would be 

 greatly benefited by her division. It would also 

 tend towards that ultimate equality of Federal 

 power, so necessary for a successful federation of 

 States. A Federation in .which one or two States 

 are so powerful as to practically overshadow and 

 dominate the others is not a good thing, a fact that 

 will perhaps be eventually exemplified by the mam- 

 moth State of New South Wales. I am aware that 

 some persons contend that there are already too 

 manv Governments in Australia, and advocate the 

 abolition of all the State Governments. The saving 

 of expense is one of the stock reasons advanced, 

 but that, in my opinion, is a very great fallacy. 

 Abolishing the State Legislatures would mean 

 Unification, and an intolerable centralisation of 



power and authority in a far distant capital city. 

 It is not the cost of government that is the trouble, 

 but unwise and mischievous legislation, the ill- 

 effects of which we are suffering from to-day. 



In conclusion, let me express the opinion that 

 the gridiron maps do not truly represent either the 

 state of public opinion in the Commonwealth with 

 regard to Socialism, or the relative degree in which 

 the different States are affected by the Socialistic 

 doctrine, e.g., there "are probably more Socialists 

 in New South Wales than in Queensland, but the 

 maps do show that in the larger States the well- 

 organised Labour Socialists are able to get a fuller 

 representation in the Federal Parliament, and thus 

 give the national policv a much more decided 

 Socialistic character than is demanded by the majo- 

 rity of Australians. 



If this be so, then the question of the formation 

 of new States by the sub-division of huge areas like 

 Queensland, is one which deserves more attention 

 than it receives at present from those who, while 

 sincerelv desiring political and social reform, are 

 yet determined to avoid the falsehood of extremes, 

 and do their best to prevent the wreck of the Aus- 

 tralian ship of State upon either the Scylla of Indi- 

 vidualism or the Charybdis of Socialism. 



So far as Queensland is concerned, her division 

 would bring into existence other centres of activity, 

 and a great stimulus would be given to the nro"TPs« 

 and development not only of Northern and Central 

 Queensland, but Southern Queensland also. To use 

 the words of Sir Henrv Parkes. their " growth and 

 prosperitv would be more absolutelv assured." 

 Under the present system the progress and develop- 

 ment of the country is checked and retarded to an 

 enormous extent. 



If any of our readers desire to help in fulfilling the besrt national ideals, and of bringing about 

 social conditions which will assist in giving such facilities for right doing that oppression and wrong 

 mav vanish, join our League of Patriots, a band of men and women all over Australasia banded to- 

 gether for social service. Everyone, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, may help us. All that 

 is necessary is a loving sympathy for one's fellow- creatures. Send along for a copy of "How to 

 Help," and it may give you some valuable hints for becoming a real power for good. Send to W. H. 

 Judkins, "Review- of Reviews," Equitable Building, Melbourne. 





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