THE FEDERAL CAPITAL

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1919, Page 1

THE FEDERAL CAPITAL

A CRY FOR CANBERRA. Sydney. August 7 The war over,- the Federal capital dispute is in process of breaking out again between Sydney and Melbourne, and the newspapers of the respective cities are making rude remarks to each otker over the question. Sydney says that the bargain made when New South Wales agreed to federation should be given effect to, and the Federal capital established as soon as practicable; Melbourne, half angrily and half soothingly, wants to know why the country should be disturbed over this matter, and asks plaintively what is the matter with the present arrangement. The matter pfomises to come to a decision in the Federal Parliament very soon. Canberra has already been laid out and a good deal of actual constructional work has been done. The big building programme under way in 1914. came to an end abruptly after war broke out and all money was wanted for the unprofitable business of war. It is now urged tlia.t if only £250,000 were expended there at once, it would be possible for Parliament to meet.

New South Wales is insisting that the Federal capital shall be established soon because of the manner in which the present Federal Government weakly allows itself to bo dominated by Melbourne opinion and Melbourne

interests. The present Federal Cabinet

is a very weak one, and there is good reason for saying that it’s vision is bounded by Melbourne. Melbourne’s reply to all this is a good one. is asked, should money, which is so urgently wanted everywhere, he frittered away, cut Canberra when the whole Federal administrative machine, is working quite smoothly from Melbourne ? It is further pointed out that when the jealousy of Sydney drove the bargain about “a capital in the bush ” there appeared to be prosperous days ahead, and no sign of the war, which has revolutionised the whole financial situation. So the two cities, much to the amusement of the unprejudiced, carry on the furious argument. The Federal 'members, not . keen on the idea of leaving a comfortable city for life in a half-made little town, have very little to say.