CANBERRA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1697, 13 March 1913, Page 5

CANBERRA.

———♦ ■. AUSTRALIA'S CAPITAL. ( CHRISTENING CEREMONY. j.". AN HISTORIC EVENT. ' By Telegraph—Frees Association—CoDyrisht (Reo..March 12, 7 p.m.) Sydney, Slarch 12. The Federal capital was to-day christened "Canberra." Tho ceremony was performed* by Lady Denman, who opened a golden casket containing a slip of paper on which the name was written. The Governor-General, Lord Denman, laid the foundation-stone, of the city, in tho presence of a great representative gathering. The weather was fine. A great display of bunting and a fine military display added .to the spectacular effect. Special trains conveyed many promineijt citizens and members of Parliament to Queanbeyan, from which point they motored to tho 6ite of the city.

The tension was intense as Lady Denman, standing ■ on a specially-erected platform, opened the casket and pronounced in clear tones, "I name the capital of Australia Canberra." ! ' 1

The announcement was greeted • with prolonged oheering and hat-throwing.

The foundation-stones laid to-day -will carry !a'commemorative trachyte column twenty-seven feet in height, the base consisting of six blocks of granite. representing the States of the Commonwealth. It is placed on the axis line joining the centre, of the site of Parliament House on Canberra Hill and the site of the Capitol on Slount ICurrajong. Salutes of twenty-one guns were fired at the opening and conclusion of the christening functions. An Impressive Scene. The ceremonies, were impressive, and there was much enthusiasm. Tho first stone was laid by Lord Denman, the second by Mr. Fisher, tho third by Sir. O'Malley, each using a trowel of Australian gold, made.by Australian workmen, and ornamented with typical Australian flowers.

During the ceremony Lord Denman dis-patched-a cable message to the King announcing that Lady i Denman " had christened Canberra, and that he had laid the foundation-stone, •

Lord Denman, in his speech, said there were people who asked, "Why have a Federal capital, why riot let tho seat of government ba Melbourne or Sydney ? The best answer was that Federation would have been impossible had not a compromise been reached in this natter. Seme argued that, a,Federal capital was too costly an undertaking, but when they considered tho great advantages that had' accrued from Federation—the better relations between the States, the abolition of inter-State duties, the building of the Army and Navy, and, above all, the creation of a national' Australian spirit—it seemed ungenerous to cavil at the expensed Thea it was not an advantage to Australia that such a large proportion of people should be massed in Sydney l and ilelbourno: they .wanted other cities. Canberra would also open a new port, Jervis Bay. With the great future ahead 1 of Australia, it was "the duty of all patriotic Australians to do their utmost :to make the'capital worthy of the Commonwealth, a city bearing' perhaps some resemblance'to the city beautiful of . their dreams. . Mr. Fisher's Hopes. The Prime Minfiter, Mr. Fisher, in presiding, at a • luncheon attended by four hundred guests, said the wrangle over the home of the Government 'was'orei. He believed that all parties desired to make the-capital, worthy of the country and tho nation; Here .the best thoughts of Australia, legislatively and administratively, would be expressed. He hoped also that it /would be the i'eat of learning and, the home of the arts.

Mr. Fisher read a cable message from Ml-. Maasoy. congratulating Australians on the important event, and hoping that tho new city would bo worthy of the great Commonwealth, in whose welfare and prosperity New Zealand took the keenest and (most; friendly interest, Mr. Fisher's reply voiced the hope that the two oountries would prosper side by side and work together in all things essential to their common welfare. ! ■ Australia's Destiny. Mr. O'Malle'y, Minister for . Internal Affairs, in a characteristic peroration predicted that Australia,' would become one of tho world's greatest nations., . A letter was Tead from Sir Edmund ■Barton, the . first Federal Prime Minister, in which he said that in the new seat •of Government Australia would be mistress in her-own house.' Ho believed that members would, prove true Federalists and make Australia ever stronger as a partner in the Empire, whose watchword would be duty, and that their justice and wisdom would be the pride of generation after generation. CANADA'S, MESSAGE. . (Rec. March 12, 10.30 p.m.) | ' Ottawa, March 12. The Prime Minister, Mr. Borden, in congratulating Mr. Fisher on the- christening of the capital, said that' tho two Sister commonwealths, , though far removed in miles, wero very close in their ideals and aspirations of democracy and tho common tie which'binds two kindred nations in a firm allegiance l'o the Empire. ' i

NEW ZEALAND CONGRATULATIONS. (By .Telegraph.—Press Association.) Timaru, March 12. Mr. Massey sent a cablegram to Mr. Andrew Fisher, on the christening of the Federal Capital..* It said: "I desire, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, to congratulate you as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth on the very important event that is taking place to-day, and to express the hope that the new capital city will be in every way worthy of the great Commonwealth of Australia,' with whose welfare and prosperity New Zealand takes the keenest and friendliest interest."