Alfred Odgers

“ I was stooping to help him, when, quick as thought, both he (who was not Maitland, but Price) and my companion (Dowling) raised their pistols to my head, and said, "We've got you out of the way!" and demanded my money, or they would leave me there. I was for the moment speechless, so sudden was the act. Caught in a trap, and at the mercy of these two villains, what could I do? Having nothing to defend myself with. I handed them my body-belt, containing my own and Elliston's money, thinking that when I got out my companions would soon catch them and make them suffer. ”

“ Against its practicability it is argued that the tendency of each colony is now towards Protection. Even New South Wales is gradually becoming so. We share the conviction of others that when such is the case and each colony has a "war of tariffs" with each other, then, as a natural result, a reaction will set in and free trade will be the cry. Its base must be that of intercolonial free trade, and probably absolute free trade to the world. ”

“ One of my companions was a young Englishman of aristocratic birth, whose friends were glad to be rid of, because of his fast and indolent habits; though I must say, that whilst with me he did not exhibit these failings, and a more honorable, faithful, hard-working young fellow than Cecil Maitland I never knew. He was daring and generous, a thorough scholar, and a pleasant companion. ”

“ It has not built up one or two cities at the expense of the others, because the national works carried out, such as railways, canals, etc., have opened up immense trade with existing cities. We therefore contend that if Germany, the United States, and Canada, with all the difficulties they had to overcome, such as time, custom, sentiment, and nationality, could each accomplish and perfect this great work, how much more easily it can be brought about in these colonies, where we really have only two great difficulties, viz., tariffs and site ”

“ In a few words, it is expedient, because it will bring population from Great Britain and elsewhere. It will enable us to borrow from the English market very much cheaper than now. It will lead to capitalists and others investing Trust and other funds, seeing the security we offer is so good. It will give us a uniform gauge of railway-line right through each colony, thus cheapening cost of carriage. It will enable us to thoroughly defend our shores from invasion. It means the adoption of uniform time, tariffs, and taxation. ”

“ The affinities of race, religion, politics, ideas, and national sentiment are exercising mutual attractions. Every telegraph wire that crosses the border is an additional thread to connect, and every railway line a bolt to rivet the colonies together. ”

“ This story is dedicated to the pioneers and first settlers of Australia, who so nobly and heroically, in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties, stood their ground, and thus largely helped to make our fair land what it is to-day—a prosperous State. ”

“ Fiji and British New Guinea are not yet of such importance as to claim a place in the Union, but eventually they and other islands will be included From the latest statistics we find that the population of the seven colonies is 3,678,046, and their combined area of land 3,075,238 square miles. Its magnitude may be partially realised if we remember that Great Britain and Ireland, with a population of over 37,000,000, have only 121,115 square miles, thus making our new Empire nearly twenty-five times larger than the old. ”

“ With our vast territory and its splendid resources our united increase should rather be 10,000 per week.
The Federal Parliament.— (1) To be composed of one House only, which shall elect a Premier and an Executive or Minister, (2) To consist of a Governor-General, who shall be its President, seven Colonial Governors, and twenty-one Federal Representatives, making in all twenty-nine members, but giving, when New South Wales and South Australia each form a new colony, a House of thirty-seven members. ”

“ 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. ”

“ It will bind into one common union seven great colonies whose territory is vast, whose resources are prolific, and whose people are loyal—and in these "Southern Seas" shall arise a powerful Empire, whose influence will reach to every civilised nation, and whose good wishes old Empires will be proud to own and strive to maintain. ”

“ The next morning, after an early breakfast, all except myself went mustering sheep. About two hours later I saw one of the party galloping home at a furious pace. It was one of the new-comers, Dowling. Springing from his saddle, and almost breathless with excitement, he said .Maitland had fallen down an opening in a big cave; he could hear his cry for help, but could not reach him. Hastily getting my horse, and taking with us some rope, candles, and matches, we hurried to the caves. I knew them well, for I had often taken shelter in one of them during a storm. We reached the spot ”

“ The federation of the Australian Colonies is of national importance. It is not a new question, for "in 1849 Lord Grey advised this step." Had it been accomplished then, or even twenty years later, our population to-day would have been nearer five millions than its present number, viz., about three and a half millions. It is certainly the "coming question;" it is more, it is the coming reality. ”

“ Picking up the trunk of a small tree close by we let it down with a rope. Hastily we descended. The bottom was only about fifteen feet from the surface, but it led off into a cave. As thick darkness was before us we lit our candles. hollowing the sound of Maitland's voice we passed through a small aperture, which led into a great vaulted cave. ”

“ The writer does not hold up Canadian Federation as being perfect. Their Constitution may be improved. Let us gather from them and others that which will just suit in forming our union, and having a right to use the scaffolding with which they finished their great work, we ought, with greater ease, build up a greater and more perfect organisation than theirs. ”

“ One horse come along this way; two horses go 'long other way." Following these up for nearly seven miles, they were led to the mouth of the "Big Cave," and from there the tracks of three horses led off in another direction. Dismounting rapidly, they decided to search the cave before pursuing, for they felt sure some fatality had happened. At the entrance leading down into the cave there were recent footprints of two men only coming out, though there were no signs of a struggle. One of the bootmarks was that of Dowling, whose left foot was turned in a little. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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." ”

“ Then if we add interest of money and expenditure saved on residences and furnishing, etc., and all the extras that our Colonial Governors would not want, we think the entire cost of the Federal Empire will be very little more than our present form of Government. ”

“ Total area, 3,075,238 square miles; total population, 3,551,755. The Victorian Statist (Hayter) has just given the total population as 3,678,046, or an increase for the year of 126,295, of which Victoria claims 54,000 and New South Wales 42,000. These figures are very suggestive in view of federation. Allowing for births, the net gain of immigration is only 59,958 persons, or only about 1,000 persons per week for the seven colonies. ”