Australian Commonwealth.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 94, 10 January 1901, Page 3

Australian Commonwealth.

Sydney, January 6

Special serviced in connection with the Commonwealth were menckod in all the churches today. The Governor-General a:tended the State service at the Cathedral. There was a distinguished congregation, all the Mi nisi era of the Federal Cabinet being present. A great thanksgiving service, was held by the Presbyterians in the Town Hall, at which the Governor-General was also present. Professor Harper, of Melbourne, preached on the subject of "Australia for the Australians." Lord Curzon, Governor-General of India, telegraphed congratulations on the inauguration of the Commonwealth, which was marred only by the illness of Lady Hopetoun. He was proud to learn that the Indian troops looked well. January 7. Speaking on Saturday, Sir Robert Stout said that the Commonwealth must proclaim to the people of Australia that as a Government they were absolutely free, recognising no distinction of creed or nationality; it was a government under which there was equality before the law. The new Ministry had an exceedingly arduous task before it in getting rid of provincial feeling, which would exist for some time to come. He expiessed the hope that the Commonwealth would attain a high, position among the Governments of the world, and that it will shovr that it is ever keeping before it, not merely commercial greatness, not merely the increase of population, but that it is keeping before it what should be the ideal of every government-—to'have the best race and the best breed of men, imbued with a higher conception of life and conduct than has ever yet beea obtained in any democracy.