FIGHT FOR CANBERRA

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1921, Page 1

FIGHT FOR CANBERRA

ME I.BOVRNIS INELVENCE. SYDNEY, July 26. The light between Melbourne influences, which ardently wish to retain tlie Federal capital in Melbourne, and the majority of members of tlie Commonwealth Parliament, who wish to see 11 it> seat of Government established at Canberra, goes on steadily. The site for the new Federal capital which, in accordance with the Constitution, has to he built away from existing cities—was fixed at Canberra some years before tlie war. Lp to 1919 a great amount of work, preliminary to building, had been done, It was the town-planner’s paradise, for the whole order of town building was reversed. The whole city was planned and pegged out, before there was a solitary ne" building on the wide and beautiful expanse of grassy plain and wooded hill. Streets were formed, a drainage system was constructed, water was brought into every street from a huge dam many miles away, electric light and power were supplied from a new power-house, trees were planted, and gardens planned, and brickworks were got into operation. Everything was ready for a vigorous building programme —when the war broke out. Money was scarce and Canberra "as “hold lip., Melbourne was delighted.

As soon as the war was over, an agitation was commenced for the commencement of the building progiamme. Melbourne intrigued energetically, and, as the city exercises a remarkable influence over the Federal ( abinet, nothing was done at Canberra. Ihe agitation, however, lorced the Government- to act last year, and €150,000 was put on the estimates. At least €1,500,000 was expected. It now appears that so little has been done in Canberra during the past year that not oven the €150,000 has been spent. Now the row is starting in earnest. Members of Parliament are threatening to cable to Mr Hughes, wlm is their ehi«T hope. Mr Hughes is keonh in favour of Canberra, and tlie members sa,\ that, in his absence, the Ministry, ruled by Melbourne, is taking no interest in Canberra. They announce today that, “Hughes will kick up a row” when he comes hack and finds out how little has been done. It is beyond question that Melbourne influences have dine everything possible to retard the

building of Canberra. The \ icUuian members iorm a solid block against the Canberra scheme in the Federal Par-liament--on the ground of'economy, ol course. There is—if .Mr Hughes’s wishes are given died to—to be a Federal Convention to review the Constitution in about IS months’ time, ami it js proposed to erect sufficient buildings at , Canberra to house this little Pallia-| ment. A ball, hostels, and so on, are ■ wanted. Private enterprise will be al-j lowed to erect the business places. It, is argued,that the holding of the Con- , volition there will put Canberra deli-j uitdy on the map—and the I'oileral Parliament will naturally follow. j