“As social groups, the Australians, in their ‘free colonies,’ were in their vigorous youth—they were buoyant and ambitious. They looked abroad, beheld what others had done, and said, ‘Let us take another step,’ and being free and self-ruling, they were able to hurriedly adjust their political machine to their local requirements.
“Inspired by novel environments, great opportunities and hard necessities, the Phœnicians and the Greeks, as colonisers, gave to Europe its commercial instincts; and, inspired by like opportunities and necessities, the British have not only made the dreams of the ancients a reality but they have created and firmly established modern civilisation. America is the Carthage of Phœnicia. Australasia is the Magna Grecia of Greece. Australia has played well her part.
“But a new king has come, my children, ‘who knew not Joseph,’ and no Moses can lead the people rapidly out from the shadow of the ‘Commonwealth.’
“Australia has a genial climate; she has broad, fertile acres enough to support a grand empire; she has a magnificent people, and she has advanced the standard of social progress many a league, but a ‘tribal’ exuberance has been hampered by allegiance to a central authority, so the leadership in social progress must be passed to less incumbered hands.
“The world stands in mute admiration at Australia’s social achievements; but, to gratify the ambition of a few men who desired a broader field for the display of a splendid talent, she has lost her ‘innings,’ and ‘New Zealand’ has the bat.
“When the Commonwealth band struck up, it was whispered across 1,200 miles of sea to New Zealand, ‘Will you walk into my parlor?’ but the sturdy Seddon answered, ‘No, thanks! we will go ahead, and turn on a little more light.’
“Then, while I love the Australians and shall ever hope for their future prosperity, we will ‘ring off,’ and review the last, the loveliest, and the most free and inviting field ever explored by man, for already the colors are in worthy hands, and the leaders have proposed to take another step.”
Summing up for a conclusion, the sage Oseba said that China, even with “opportunities,” presented no varieties; and while Japan had variety, she had no room. Europe was too strongly wedded to militarism for healthy mental growth; Britain has become a park for her nobles; Africa had the black plague; America was owned by the trusts, and was managed in their interests by the party bosses; and Australia, like a child crying for bracelets, had put on hand-cuffs.
“So, none of these answer the requirements of our commission,” said the orator, “and I now invite you, my children, to another series of pictures in our elaborate gallery—’tis of my last ‘discovery.’”