"MYOLA."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1660, 29 January 1913, Page 8

"MYOLA."

CHRISTENING A CAPITAL. AUSTRALIA'S O.UEST. Mr. King O'Malley was in one of his most erratic moods tho other day when ho let Himself go on tho question of the naming of tho Federal capital, and proved, if any further proof were needed, now dangerous it would be to leave such an important matter in his hands. When asked if it was not intended to consult tho peoplb of the Commonwealth as to tho-name, lie Teplied that they had been debating it for tho last toil years, and that it was time' a decision was arrived at. "What special'claims have Ministers as selectors of the'name?" Mr. O'Malley was then asked. i "They have none,", ho replied, "except that for the time being they are the chosen representatives of tho. sovereign neople of Australia. That being so, they are acting as tho mouthpiece of the people,' under our representative responsible methods of government. Someone lias got to settlo the matter, and tho Ministry assembled, With tho Governor-General ■■ at the head, must finally give the last finishing touch. To leave it to the wholo community would mean still further delay. . ''.'.. -

■ Must Be a Native Name, The Minister declined to state the.name he favoured, but he broke' new ground by admitting that the Cabinet had decided that the capital hiust bo called by "some native name." He followed this up by stating that he had a "sneaking regard for/.Myola, which means the meeting place."-. f . , Mr. O'Malley then'proceeded to discuss the matter iii his customary irresponsible manner. ."My,, own; preference," ho said, "was Shakespeare, after the world's mightiest poet. My second ; choice was Burns, after democracy's great poet; Ho summed up the whole philosophy.of human life wnen he wrote?'those lines:—,. To mak r a happy fireside clime with weans and wife Is thfi true pathos and sublime of human life. .' •.',..-'■..'■■ . , ,• ■,-■-. "Longfellow was andtlier name I had in my mind. Ho wrotvtho Psalm of Life:— -.-• Let us, then, be uparid doing,- ' Willi a -heart for any fate; . Still achieving, still pursuing, .'' -' Learn to labour and to wait! "But my particular favourite was Shakespeare. However, it is Australia's question, and, no matter what; my spiritual may bo; I shall not interfere with Australians -'naming ! the capital. Thatis why I have ah open mind on the' question; but if no one else can decide before March'l2, I will tell his Excellency the name for it. ' '■'■ ! ■ .

"I mil be only too delighted to receive suggestions, and I hope, that 'The Arc' which .is read by the majority of tho people of Australia, will,ventilate the matter.'.' ; , .. "Brother——l" Mr. O'Mallcy, said he had that day sent: tho, following letter to members of tho : Federal Parliament:— .:■■'■' "Brother-—, ■■.'■•'■•■■ . -.' "It is proposed to formally name the Federal capital 1 on the occasion of the ceremony- tb.be performed on March 12 next, at Canberra, to mark the inception of- operations in: connection ; , with.the founding of the city.'.With a vitw to' tho selection of "a suitablo ' . name, I-shall bo ; glad if you will, at ' your .earliest,■ convenience, favour, me '. ' with any suggestion you may caro to .make, ...-,■' ".Yours: faithfully, .

' ' ■'■ , .■' "KING O'MALLBY." Letters have been received by tho Department, for Homo Affairs from many different parts of Australia, from Englaud and other countries, suggesting names for. the capital, and others are being received every day.' nearly 500 proposals have been.made.'' One,citizen, who appears ,to' know. Mr., O'Malley very well, ;wrotoi -'"' ■'"■, ''"Siiy-^Plea'S9 l ,' ,i f6r all': our sakes; and the future generations, don't call tho ■ , Federal capital 'Fisher.'"' ■■"' •■■ ■'•' '■'■ • -.