The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1927. A NEW CAPITAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1927. A NEW CAPITAL.

I Yesterday with all the pomp and ceremony that circumstances would permit, a new capital city was born to the Australian Commonwealth. Canberra to Australia will be as Washington to the United States, something' apart and distinctive. The new capital has teen, founded with great care and precision, The choice of a site was the subject for much forethought, and the Federal authorities hastened slowly before reaching a decision. When the site was settled, then began the planning of a. great city on entirely modern lines. Town-planning had full play. All the mistakes of other cities were avoided. A new and precise town of wide expanse was laid off. A garden city was designed and now a garden city has materialised. It has taken a long, long time fo establish Canberra fit for the place it is to fill in the destiny of Australia. But there was much to do, and in the period of preparation, long drawn out though it may appear, a great task has been accomplished. Something more than the

foundations of a great modern city have been laid. Canberra as a city in being is described as a wonderful creation worthy the country it adorns. The system under which the Common wealth operates provides for States with their separate, capitals. The title and prestige so long enjoyed have passed, and “marvellous” Melbourne, as so often described, is now hut the capital city of the State of Victoria. There are the cities of Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, each capitals of their respective States, hut Canberra is above all these. The s vs tern of Government which gives to each State not only a separate capital, but yet also a separate Parliament, must be an expensive one, yet that fact did not occasion a drastic economy in the

making of Canberra. It has been laid out with the object of attaining a city of distinction, and to so model the

town and its environments, expense could hardly lie a rest raining influence. Australia has done something worthy its enterprise and destiny. The people will he proud of whnl the designers have accomplished, for Canberra is to be all that is implied in the oft-quoted statement : “A thing of beauty and a. joy for ever.” Nationhood is well cxainpliliod in what lias been accomplished. The people have not been unmindful of the charge laid upon them. And though they have spent freely to accomplish their undertaking, they have provided no less adequately. The site of Canberra is a vast Federal leasehold, and for all time the Federal authorities will receive the ground rent of the occupied areas. In time to come the laud must, yield great wealth to the common owners, the people of Australia, who will enjoy relief by means of the profits accruing from the land values. Canberra is 1 Inis a lesson in political economy, which should not he lost to the world at large, or to Now Zoaand in particular, where there is so much haste nowadays to part with the Crown lauds find endowments—the real and lasting property of the people. But just now matters of this nature are not likely to obtrude. Instead there will lie rejoicings and felicitations to mark the birth of the new Capital and to wish Canberra all prosperity in filling the destiny which is before the Commonwealth Capital.