THE FEDERAL CAPITAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 251, 13 March 1913, Page 5

THE FEDERAL CAPITAL

XA.MKD CANBERRA. A GREAT CATHERIX'C. INT ER ES TI \(; i »;<]•; JjJ\- ( ; s Cable—Press Association—< <-|>\ r;'L'ht. Received 12. p.m. T1 , , *>dney. March 12. , The tederal caj.iial has been , uullri ; Canberra. Lady Denman opened a golden casket containing a slip „f p ;lm , r whereon the name was written, and performed the christening ceremony. Lord Denman laid the foundation .stone of the «>t.v in the presence of a representative gathering. The weather was tine, and there was a greai di-p!av of him;, ing. A tin- military di-play added to the spectacular effect:. AX EXTIUSIA<TIC i-vxrriox. Received 12. 7 p.m. Sydney. March 12. Special trains conveyed many prominent citizens and a strong Parliamentary party to Qtieanbeyan. ' Thence they motored to the site of the new fit v. The ceremonies were impressive, and there was much enthusiasm. The iirst stone was laid by I.ord D"nninn. the second I>\- Mr. Fisher. and the third by .Mr. (VMaih y. each us in;r a j trowel of An-'ralian gold, made bv Australian workmen and ornamented with typical Australian flowers. During the ceremony Lord Denman despatched ;> cable to the King, announcing that Lady Denman had christened ■Canberra, and that he hid laid the foundation stone. Lord Denman. in his -peech. siid that there were people who asked: Why have a Federal capital? Why not let the seat of Government be Melbourne or Sydney? The best answer was that federation would have been impossible bad not a compromise been reached in , this matter.' Some argued that a Federal capital was too costlv an undertaking, but when they considered the great advantages that accrued from federition. the better relations, the abolition of interstate duties, the building of an army and navy. and. above all. the creation of a national Australian spirit, it seemed ungenerous to cavil at the expense. Then, was it not to the advantage of Australia that such a laru'e 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 .Icrvis 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 our dreams. A PICTURESQUE CEREMOXY. COXGRATI'LATIOXH FROM OYER- ; SEAS. Received 12. 9.5 p.nt. i Sydney March 12. 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'." The announcement was greeted with prolonged clieering. 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 Bite of Parliament House will be on Canberra Hill, and the site of the Capitol on Mount Kurrajong. Salutes of twenty-one guns were tired j at the opening ami at the conclusion of the christening function. Mr. Fisher, presiding at a luncheon of 400 guests, said that the wrangle over the home of the Government w« over. He believed that all parties desired U make tlie capital worthy of the country and the nation, an 1 that there the liest 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 rend a cable from Mr. MasKey, congratulating t:ie Australians on the important event, and hoping teat the new city would be worthy of the great Commonwealth, in whose welfare and prosperity Xew 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 F-hiiiuet ■Rarton. the first Federal Prime Minister. In the new seat of Government, he said. \ustralia. would he mistress in her own house. H« believed that members would prove true Federalists and make Australia even stronger as a partner in the Empire. Their watchword should be '-Dutv." and their justice and wisdom should i>e the pride of generation alter generation. CAXADIAX TRIBUTE. Received 12. !U p.m. Sydney. March 12. Mr. Borden, in congratulating Mr. Fisher on the of the capital, said that the two sister Commonwealths, though far removed bv mile-. v - r verv close in ideals and tV- aspirations of demncra <"-. Th» -on tie which bound I" 1 ' " allegiance to the Empire. XEW /.EALAXD> cnXGRAH LATK>N>. Bv T(l ! graph.—P"r As-0.-nitton. As'nburton. Last Xiil.it. Mr Masspv sent a cablegram to Mr. 'Andrew Fisher on the christening of the Federal Ci'.nital. It said: "I oi-ne on behalf o f the Government and people of Xe-v Zealand to consratulate you as Prime Minister of t!on the verv important event that t- ta* Zr place to-da v. and to express the hope thai the new capital city will be in every wav worthv of the great ( ommonwealth of Australia in whose we,:,re „nd prosperity Xew Zealand keenest and the friendliest interest.