THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA. 



217 



G. FORESTRY IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF 

 AUSTRALIA. 



SECTION I— THE COMMONWEALTH GENERALLY. 



The Commonwealth consists of the foUowino; States : — 



The mainland of Austraha Ues between the 10th and 39th degree 

 of southern latitude, about one-half of the country being situated 

 in the tropics. Tasmania lies between the 41st and 44th degree of 

 latitude. 



The population of the Commonwealth is practically all white, 

 and efforts are being made to keep it so ; whether this will 

 succeed, is another question. 



Without going into the details of the establishment of the 

 Australian Colonies, it may be stated that all, except Western 

 Australia, were granted responsible government in 1855. Western 

 Australia receiving it in 1890. The constitutions of the several 

 States, while marked by minor differences, are all upon the same 

 model, with legislative assemblies and legislative councils. The 

 Commonwealth of Australia was inaugurated on January 1st, 

 1901. Under its constitution the States retain all the powers 

 which belong to them as self-governing communities, except those 

 which they have surrendered to the Commonwealth, such as 

 defence, tariffs, and -postal matters. Trade between all the 

 States is free. Each State manages its forests independently of 

 the Commonwealth authorities. 



