Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/419

 1899.] Victoria. — South Australia. [411

was almost entirely due to the large preponderance of feder- alist votes in the northern district. The metropolitan district showed a small majority against federation. The south was about equally divided. The result, on the whole, showed an advance in the popular opinion in favour of union, though Brisbane and the principal centres of commerce and industry* retained their dislike of the bill.

The Treasurer delivered his £udget speech on October 5, announcing the financial prosperity of the colony to be unprece- dented. The revenue had largely exceeded the estimates, and there was a surplus of 150,000Z.

The address to the Queen, inviting her Majesty's favour for the Commonwealth Bill, was passed in the Assembly by 57 to 10 on October 4 ; the Legislative Council adopting a similar vote on October 10.

An unexpected Ministerial crisis led to some extraordina- rily sudden changes of Government. Towards the close of November Mr. Dickson's Ministry was defeated by a small majority. A Cabinet representing the Labour party, headed by Mr. Dawson, came into office on the morning of December 1, and was defeated the same afternoon. Their resignation was followed by what was practically the return of the old Ministers to power, with some changes of office. Mr. Philp, late leader of the old Opposition, was made Premier and Treasurer; Mr. Dickson, late Premier, Chief Secretary ; Mr. Foxton, Home Secretary ; Mr. Chataway, Minister of Agriculture ; Mr. O'Connel, Minister of Lands; Mr. Drake, Minister of Education, and Mr. Murray of Bailways.

The question of Japanese immigration had exercised the minds of the Government and the people. A number of Japanese had landed on Thursday Island, whose coming pro- voked the Prime Minister to a violent speech against these Asiatics as undesirable immigrants. Under the existing law they might come as commercial men or travellers, but their entrance was forbidden as labourers for hire. Some corre- spondence took place with the Japanese authorities, who have shown themselves hitherto more amiable than could have been expected upon a point closely touching their national sentiment. The trade oetween Japan and Northern Queensland is on the increase, and the influx of Japanese, whether in the character of " travellers " or immigrants, is likely to cause some trouble to the Queensland Government, which is bound to take notice of the popular feeling against coloured labour.

Lord Lamington left the colony for a short term on October 3.

The population of Queensland at the end of June was returned at 508,000.

South Australia. — The Federal Enabling Bill passed through both Houses of Parliament without division on March 3.

The Parliament was dissolved on April 6. The general