COLONIAL FEDERATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 978, 25 June 1883, Page 2

COLONIAL FEDERATION.

[Pek Waihoka at the Bluff.] [by telegraph.] Melbourne, June 18. The opening of the line connecting the railway systems of New South Wales and "Victoria was celebrated on Thursday at Albany. ■ It was determined by both Governments to signalise the event as a,landmark of intercoloniol history, and the preparations were left in the hands of the New South Wales Government, the cost being equally divided. The large engine shed close to the station was formed into a handsome banquet hall, and tents were ereted for their Excellencies and Lady Loftus. The Governor of New South Wales and Lady Loftus, with the Ministry, arrived at one o’clock, and were received by the Mayor, who presented an address, to which his Excellency replied, saying that he was confident that with increased railway communication intercolonial free trade would bs come necessary. The National! Anthem was then sung by a thousand school children. The Marquis of iS'ormanby, with the jMinisters, also arrived oy a special train early in the afternoon. The banquet hall was lighted with 200 electric lamps, and guests numbering 1.016 were seated. The novel plan of Victorians and New South Welshmen alternating each other in the speeches was adopted. An essential!y federal strain was apparent. Among other toasts proposed were, the Queen, Prince of Wales and the Royal family ; the Governors of New South Wales and Victoria'; pastoral, agricultural, commercial, manufacturing and mining interests, and the press. The festivities terminated by a ball, which on the following night was held in the banquet hall. The arrangements were thoroughly successful, and everything passed off with the greatest iclat, Mr Service’s speech attracted considerable attention. He said ihe process of fedention would soon begin. He had been thirty years in public life in Victoria, and he declined to subscribe to the doctrine that he must die before he saw

gtafid ,,of¥>the colonies! He believed that if resolutely touched the obstacles in the way would crumble into dust.- He would take a very early opportunity of testing the question by asking the New South Wales Government what are the difficulties that, stand in the way. He verily hoped to see a Dominion Parliament established during his lifetime, and. he meant to be a candi ate for its suffrages. He had even a higher ‘ambition,' namely, to meet the other'side of the World in a great Federal Council of the Empire, as one representative of the Australian Dominion. The speeches were warmly applauded, every reference to federation being received with marked approbation.