"CANBERRA."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 60, 13 March 1913, Page 5

"CANBERRA."

THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.

1 NTER ESTING PROCEEDINGS

(By Ei<y J 'ic Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.)

Sydney, March 12. The Federal capital has been named Canberra. Lady Denman opened afgolden casket containing a slip of paper whereon the name was written, and performed the cristening ceremony. Lord Denman laid the foundation stone of the city in the presence of a great representative gathering. The weather was fine, and there was a great display of bunting. A fine military display added to the spectacular effect.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC FUNCTION. Special trains conveyed many prominent citizens and a strong Parliamentary party to Queanbeyan. Thence they motored to the site of the new city. The ceremonies were impressive. and there was much enthusiasm. The first stone was laid by Lord Denman, the second by Mr Fisher (Prime Minister), and the third by Mr O’Malley (Minister of Home Affairs), each using a trowel of Australian gold, made by Australian workmen and ornamented with typical Australian flowers. During the ceremony Lord Denman despatched a cable to the King, announcing that Lady Denman had christened Canberra, and that he had laid the foundation stone.

Lord Denman, in his speech, said that there were people who asked; Why have a Federal capital? Why not let the seat of Government be Melbourne dr Sydney ? The best answer was that federation would have been impossible had not a compromise been reached in this matter. Some argued that a Federal capital was too costly an undertaking, but when they considered the great advantages that accrued from federation, the better relations, the abolition of interstate duties, the building of an army and navy, and, above all, the creation of a nation Australian spirit, it seemed ungenerous to cavil at the expense. Then, was it not to the advantage of Australia that such a large proportion of people should not be massed in Sydney or Melbourne. “We want other cities,’ ’he said, “and Canberra will also open a new port at Jervis Bay, with a great future ahead for Australia.’ It was the duty ’of all patriotic Australians to do their utmost to make the capital worthy of the Commonwealth, and a city bearing, perhaps, some resemblance to the “City Beautiful’ ’of k~t dreams.

A PICTURESQUE CEREMONY. The tension was intense as Ladj Denman, standing on a specially-erect-ed platform, opened the casket and pronounced in clear tones: “I name the capital of Australia ‘Canberra’.” The announcement wa"s greeted with prolonged cheering. The foundation stones laid to-day carry a commemorative trashyte column 27 feet in height, the base consisting of six blocks of granite, representing the States of the Commonwealth, placed on an axis line, joining in the centre. The site of Parliament House will be on Canberra Hill, and the site of the Capital on Mount Kurrajong.

Salutes of twemy-ane guns were fired at the opening and at the conclusion of the christening function. Mr Fisher, presiding at a luncheon of 400 guests, said that the wrangle over the homo of the Government was over. He believed that all parties desired to make the capital worthy of the country and the nation, and that there the best thoughts of Australia, legislatively and administratively, would be expressed. He hoped also that the capital would be the seat of learning and the home of arts. He read a cable from Mr Massey, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, congratulating the Australians on the important event, and hoping that the new city would be worthy of the great Commonwealth, in whoso welfare and prosperity New Zealand took the keenest and most friendly interest. Mr Fisher’s reply voiced the hope that the two countries would prosper side by side and work together in all things essential to the common welfare

Mr O’Malley, in a characteristic peroration, predicted that Australia would become one of the world’s greatest nations. A letter was read from Sir Edmund Barton, the first Federal Prime Minister. In the new scat of Government, he said, Australia would be mistress in her own house. Ho believed that members would prove true Federalists and make Australia even stronger as a partner in the Empire. Their watchword should be “Duty,” and their justice and wisdom should be the pride of generation after generation. Mr Borden ,in congratulating Mr Fisher on the christening of the capital, said that the two sister Commonwealths, though far removed by miles, were very close in ideals and the aspirations of democracy. The common tie which bound the two kindred nations firm was allegiance to the Empire.

PRESS COXGR ATI;LATTOXS. London, March 12. Many newspapers publish congratulary notices with reference to the christening of the Federal capital.