Page:History of West Australia.djvu/328

 276

obtained autonomy, when possessed of no larger populations than her own, it seemed a slur upon local intelligence that the Imperial Government would not concede the privilege to her people. From the very beginning the Western Australian was an isolated community, and since the days of Responsible Government in other colonies the official isolation had been particularly marked. Governor Robinson was pleased to call Western Australia the Cinderella of the sisters, and the name clung to her for years. An instance of this unpleasant position, begot by dissimilar constitutions, arose in 1881. in 1880, chiefly at he instigation of Mr. (now Sir) Graham Berry, Chief Secretary of Victoria, a conference of representatives New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria was held in Melbourne to discuss the subject of border duties between the three colonies. The work of the conference assumed larger proportions than was anticipated, and matters of intercolonial importance came up for consideration. The proceedings were adjourned until January, 1881, when the representatives were to meet in Sydney. It was desired that all he colonies should join in the conference, and Western Australia was invited to send a delegate. The situation of the colony was uncomfortable. No representative could pledge settled line of policy, for the Imperial Government exercised a full control over the local policy. Baron Gifford, the Colonial Secretary, in reply to an invitation from Mr. Berry, explained the position, promised, on behalf of Governor Robinson, that a representative would attend to watch he proceedings, and to express an opinion on points affecting Western Australia, which would be subject to the approval of the local and Home Governments. Mr. Berry agreed to this arrangement, and Chief Justice Wrenfordsley was deputed attend.

Numerous questions were dealt with. Those of particular interest to Western Australia related to the introduction of Chinese, and the erection of a lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin (Western Australia) at the expense of all the colonies. But the important and historical subject before the conference had to do with a proposal for a modified federation. Sir Henry Parkes, of New South Wales, introduced the Federal Council of Australia Bill, under which it was proposed that periodical meetings should be held of delegates from the several colonies, who should discuss and decide on matters affecting the interests of Australia as a whole. No special interest was shown by the representatives, and Queensland refused to even consider the question. Sir Henry Parkes' measure was not agreed to.

A Intercolonial Convention was held in Sydney in 1883, when important proposals regarding the Pacific Islands and the constitution of a Federal Council for the Australian Colonies were carried. There can be no doubt that from an educational and historical point of view the latter decision was fraught with great importance to Australia. Resolutions complimentary to those passed at the convention were passed by the Western Australian Legislative Council in 1884, and it was ultimately decided that the colony should join in the Federal Council sentiment. During the session of 1885, the Federal Council Act (49 Vic. No. 24) was placed on the Statute Book, and came into operation by proclamation on 21st December, 1885. Unfortunately, all the colonies were not unanimous in their support, and some declined to come into the Council. It did not, therefore, have the weight that was expected, although by drawing representatives of the Australian group together and enabling discussions to be held on matters affecting the general interests and welfare it was productive of considerable benefits. The Act enabled the Council to determine such matters as the relations of Australia with the Pacific Islands, prevention of the influx of criminals, fisheries in Australian waters beyond territorial limits, various legal points, defence, quarantine, and numerous other matters. In his prorogation speech in September, 1885, Governor Broome said of this Act—"It will be a matter for congratulation in the future that the Legislature of Western Australia has from the first heartily supported a scheme which, as I believe, will in the course of time result in unifying the whole of this portion of the Empire in a political organisation similar to that which has given strength and greatness to the Dominion of Canada."

The first meeting of the Federal Council was held in Hobart, Tasmania, on 25th January, 1886. Mr. Lee-Steere was commissioned by the Governor to represent Western Australia, and, being a member of the Executive Council, his status was not very dissimilar to that of other delegates. During the session, he carried a resolution affirming that King George's Sound, Princess Royal Harbour, and Torres Straits should be fortified for the general protection of the Australian Colonies, and that common action should be taken by the colonies to provide for the indemnification of persons whose property, in case of war, might be sacrificed for the purpose of preventing aid to an enemy's force. Before the adjournment of the Council four bills were carried: shortening the language used in Acts of the Federal Council; facilitating the proof throughout the Federation of Acts of Council, Parliaments, judicial and official documents, and signatures of certaain public officers; authorising the service of civil processes out of the jurisdiction of the colony in which it was issued; and making provision for the enforcement, within the Federation, of judgments of the Supreme Courts of the colonies.

To turn for a time from the subjects of politics and policy, it will be observed that development and progress were splendidly influeuced by an exploring trip made by Alexander Forrest in 1879. In order to understand most other matters connected with the colony during this period it is first necessary to describe this exploration, for from that journey the subsequent general progress may be said to date; an impetus was given to those circumstances which encouraged settlement, and eventually attracted the long-desired population. Pastoral pursuits were more vigorously followed; land laws were liberalised; and gold discoveries were announced which caused a voluntary influx of people, encouraged prospecting for minerals, and paved the way to the gold era.

Alexander Forrest was instructed to examine, map out and report on the country between the De Grey River, in Western Australia, and the Victoria River, in the Northern Territory South Australia. Mr. Fenton Hill, the second in command was specially required to gather mineral, botanical, and zoological specimens. The remainder of the party consisted of Matthew Forrest, John Campbell, James Carey and Arthur Hicks, besides two natives, Tommy Pierre and Dower, and twenty-six horses. On 25th February, 1879, with six months' provisions, Forrest left the De Grey River Station. A course was held near to the coast for several days, and difficulty was experienced in obtaining water. The land was in some places valueless and in others, near Roebuck Bay, the grass stood over the horses' backs. Even in the latter areas there was a miserable lack of water, and horses had to be abandoned. On 10th April Forrest reached Beagle Bay, where he saw two pearling boats. It was here that his most important exploration was to commence. Surveyor Cowle had, in 1866, traversed the country between Roebuck Bay and the De Grey, and hence the public already knew something of its resources. Forrest reckoned that up till now he had examined about 4,000,000 acres of pastoral lands. Like the navigators of