Fix this text
THE Advance Australia
Fix this textA Journal devoid to
Fix this textAustralian National Advancement
Fix this textand circulatiag in the
Fix this textAustralian Natives’ Association
Fix this textthroughout the
Fix this textAustralian Commonwealth
Fix this textYOL. 11., No. 2.
Fix this textMARCH 1, 1898.
Fix this text3s. 6d. per annum, post free.
Fix this textDUNCAN & C 0.,.
Fix this textPicture Framers and
Fix this textPhoto Enlargers,.
Fix this textHave a Large Assortment of Pictures to choose from.
Fix this textPhoto Enlargements of Footballers and others
Fix this textGROUPS A SPECIALITY.
Fix this text172 QUEEN ST., MELBOURNE.
Fix this textT. CRAIN E,
Fix this textCarriage & Buggy rianufacturer,
Fix this textCITY RD., PRINCES BRIDCE,
Fix this textVehicles of every description. New or Second
Fix this textHand. Exchanges Made.
Fix this textTelephone ion.
Fix this textEstablished 185 4
Fix this textLADIES’ RALLI CART.
Fix this text2
Fix this textn
Fix this textuser.
Fix this textf SRcJCEy.
Fix this textClf4 ,-\itoaqre Australia
Fix this textPUBLISHED MONTHLY.
Fix this text133 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE.
Fix this textBusiness Manager— FRED. DAVISON.
Fix this textSubscription:—3s. 6d per annum, post free to private address.
Fix this textFor Advertisement Rates, and all other information, apply to
Fix this textthe Business Manager : —Fred. Davison, 133 Bourke Street Mel-
Fix this textbourne.
Fix this textWe will be glad to receive items of news and reports of branch
Fix this textmeetings, especially from the Country Branches. Such reports will
Fix this texttend to keep our members more in touch with each other, and
Fix this textpromote friendly intercourse in a manner that must be beneficial to
Fix this textthe Association.
Fix this textContributions, on National or Association topics, sent to the
Fix this textEditor, care of our Business Manager, will receive careful attention,
Fix this textand will find a place in our columns, should the subject be deemed
Fix this text■of sufficient importance.
Fix this text“ Fling out the flag, let her flap and rise
Fix this textWith the rush of the eager air,
Fix this textWith the ring of the wild swan’s wing
Fix this textAs she flies from the swamp and her reedy lair.
Fix this textFling out the flag, and let friend or foe
Fix this textBehold, for gain or loss,
Fix this textThe Sign of our Faith and fight we fight—
Fix this textThe Stars of the Southern Cross.”
Fix this textThe addressof the Advance Australia office for the future
Fix this textwill be 133 Bourke Street, where we will be glad to see
Fix this textmembers of the Association at any and all times.
Fix this textA storm in a teacup has been raised over some remarks
Fix this textmade by Mr. J. Hume Cook at the Hawthorn branch
Fix this textmeeting on the 7th February. He saw fit to act the
Fix this textpart of the candid critic on that occasion, with the re-
Fix this textsult that the daily Press have supplied the public with
Fix this textcriticisms—of that peculiar kind that one cannot tell
Fix this textwhether it is complimentary or otherwise—of what he
Fix this textsaid and what he didn’t say.
Fix this textThe Age holds forth as follows:
Fix this text“ At the present moment no criticism is fair which does not take
Fix this textinto consideration the limits imposed on the Australian character by
Fix this textthe lack of any standards to preserve, to imitate, or to aim at. In
Fix this texthis circumstances the Australian child, in his most impressionable
Fix this textyears, has no traditions whatever —there is no past, except in the
Fix this textworld of books, to color his aspirations or to form his character.
Fix this textThe total absence of any historic or ancestral sense must make such
Fix this texta phrase as Noblesse oblige utterly unmeaning to him, and this would
Fix this textaccount in great part for levity, mutability and egotism. He has to
Fix this textlearn such lessons as are unconsciously imbibed by those who grow
Fix this textup within sight of Glastonbury Abbey or Stirling Castle, have play-
Fix this texted round the statue of Arminius in the Gate of Westphalia, or at the
Fix this textbase of the Vendome Column, or have even known since they knew
Fix this textanything that the square tower on Bunker’s Hill marks the spot
Fix this textwhere the embattled farmers stood. Bereft of any such associa-
Fix this texttions the Australian natives might be pardoned if they show a
Fix this texttendency to
Fix this text1 Mistake the rustic cackle of their burgh
Fix this textFor the loud roar that echoes round the world.’ ”
Fix this text“ Familiarity breeds contempt,” and the people who
Fix this textlive their lives within sight of the spots where stirring
Fix this textdeeds were wrought are more likely to know little and
Fix this textcare less about those deeds and their consequences than
Fix this textare the Australians—who, despite all that is urged to
Fix this textthe contrary, have as great a pride in the gallant acts of
Fix this textBritish heroism as any Englander of them all. We
Fix this textdaim the glorious history of Britain—her warriors, her
Fix this textstatesmen, and her literary giants—equally with the
Fix this textoresent-day Britisher, for our forefathers were one.
Fix this textThe fact that we have never seen the places of historic
Fix this textinterest counts for nothing. Does the Briton think less
Fix this textof King-making Waterloo or Glorious Trafalgar because
Fix this texthe does not daily behold these spots where our race re-
Fix this textnewed its youth.
Fix this textNoblesse oblige is not “ utterly unmeaning to the Aus-
Fix this texttralian native,” for he hears the men of the misty past
Fix this textcalling upon him to emulate their self-sacrifice, and
Fix this textuphold the honor of the race—and he is not unmindful
Fix this textof their call. The existence of “ levity, mutability and
Fix this textegotism ” is also accounted for by the lack of apprecia-
Fix this texttion of this motto. We do not deny the presence of
Fix this textthese qualities in the native-born, but at the same time
Fix this textwe affirm that they are not characteristic of him in any
Fix this textgreater degree than they are of the British-born. In all
Fix this textnations there are the rank and file and there are the
Fix this textleaders. Surely our critics do not expect to find each
Fix this textindividual of the masses imbued with certain traits to
Fix this textthe same degree as are the captains. Besides, “ levity”
Fix this textmay mean, according to the stand-point of the critic,
Fix this textsimply a refusal to honor that whose only claim to honor
Fix this textis its antiquity; “ mutability ” is one of those fine-
Fix this textsounding words that newspaper men love, and is a
Fix this textquality that may or may not be desirable, according to
Fix this textcircumstances—for it may mean the ability to adapt
Fix this textoneself to one’s surroundings ; and what our critics call
Fix this text“ egotism ” in the Australian would be glorified into
Fix this text“British self-reliance” were Englanders the subjects of
Fix this texttheir ink-wasting. It is precisely this “ egotism ” that
Fix this textenables Greater Britain to exist. We are not the
Fix this textapronstring children of England, but we are the self-
Fix this textreliant offspring of a mighty Mother, and it would ill
Fix this textbecome the traditions of our race if we were to assume
Fix this texta humility that we do not feel.
Fix this textThe Age then rambles on :
Fix this text“ Reaching man's estate the youth of a new community finds in
Fix this textsociety no standard of attainment and no visible exemplar on which
Fix this textto mould his manners. There is no social cleavage by rank or dis-
Fix this texttinction, no better nor best, no test of worth other than the fleeting
Fix this textand fallacious one of reference to a bank balance. When Australia
Fix this textis compared in these matters with the old country, it must be re-
Fix this textmembered that whatever the disadvantages of her settled social order
Fix this textEngland has fixed standards of superiority to put before her youth.
Fix this textWe hear a great deal of the decadent aristocrats who get into the
Fix this textpapers and very little of the hundreds who, relieved from the neces-
Fix this textsity for soiling their fingers by the fact that their ancestors did all
Fix this textthe stealing required to maintain the family, now do much to keep
Fix this textpublic life from ignobility by precept if not always by practice.
Fix this textThere is, besides, the great and self-respecting middle class that for
Fix this texta century past, if its ends seem nowadays sordid and mean, has, in
Fix this textpursuing them, given examples of steadfastness, practical resource
Fix this textand self-denial which are nearly heroic - These influences must be
Fix this textimportant factors in making national character, and the absence of
Fix this textthem accounts for a good deal of what is justified in the sweeping
Fix this textstrictures of the latest amongst the prophets of the shortcomings of
Fix this textAustralia’s rising generation,”
Fix this textTruly, this is enough to turn the stomach of the strong-
Fix this textest. We have “ no social cleavage by rank or dis-
Fix this texttinction.” Would to God that this was true. We
Fix this texthave enough and to spare, as Britain has, of the “rank”
Fix this textthat is very rank, and the “distinction ” that is the result
Fix this textof toadyism and unscrupulousness. No “ Fixed stand-
Fix this textards of social superiority to set before our youth,” for-
Fix this textsooth ! What standards can there be other than
Fix this texthonesty, industry and a spirit of self-sacrifice? Are
Fix this textthese not with us ? As to the latter quality, let the re-
Fix this textcords of the Royal Humane Society or the events of the
Fix this textGippsland bush fires give answer.
Fix this text“The aristocracy keep public life from ignobility by
Fix this textprecept,, if not always by thei r example !” The scribe
Fix this textwho penned that line only wants sufficient rope and he
Fix this textwould hang himself. Comment is needless.
Fix this textFurther: “The se//-respecting (sarcasm of the finest
Fix this textwater) middle classes have in their pursuit of sordid and
Fix this textmean ends shown self-denial, etc., etc., that is nearly
Fix this textheroic.” Truly a fine example that our boys lose ! A
Fix this textclass pursuing sordid and mean ends in an heroic man-
Fix this textner ! Little wonder, then, that that class is only self-
Fix this textrespected.
Fix this textHowever, Mr. Cook, as was his right, criticised the
Fix this textAustralians somewhat severely ; but he did not forget
Fix this textto say that “ Australian uprightness and native fearless-
Fix this textness in right remained unsullied through our late boom
Fix this texttroubles, and the great heart of the community was not
Fix this textaffected by the scheming self-seekers amongst us,” and
Fix this textin saying that he nullified his previous adverse criticism,
Fix this textfor, seeing that the whole is but as its parts are, and
Fix this texthaving demonstrated our national probity through trying
Fix this texttimes, we can fairly say that the Australian is not the
Fix this textweak, drab-coloured biped that some would have us
Fix this textbelieve.
Fix this text“ The Australian lacks persistency !” Does he ! Let
Fix this texttwenty-six years steady effort after Federation answer
Fix this textthis charge ; —and if a fit charter for our country be not
Fix this textevolved by the present Convention, then the sons of the
Fix this textsoil will gird themselves up for another twenty-six years
Fix this textstruggle. The very existence of our Association is a
Fix this textpractical refutation of this statement, and the fair-minded
Fix this textman will need none other.
Fix this textPRESTON BRANCH.
Fix this textThe Preston branch held their usual meeting on Wednesday*
Fix this textFebruary 13th. President Hooker occupied the chair, and there
Fix this textwas a good attendance of members.
Fix this textMr. Rule, auditor, read the report and balance-sheet for the last
Fix this texthalf-year. This showed a credit balance in each fund as follows :
Fix this textSick Fund, £lB6 9s. Bd.; Incidental Fund, £7 3s, 9d.; Contingency
Fix this textFund, £2 ns. nd. The total assets of the branch amount to
Fix this text£431 ss. 4d. There are 93 members on the roll, of whom only four
Fix this textare unfinancial.
Fix this textMessrs. Hunt and Spratling reported having attended the Metro-
Fix this textpolitan Committee, and gave the details of the business transacted
Fix this textthereat.
Fix this textAfter various matters of general business had been dealt with,
Fix this textMr. Whalley read a paper entitled “ A Trip to Tasmania.” It was
Fix this texta production of the first-class, and held the attention of the meeting
Fix this textfrom first to last. Mr. Whalley possesses the faculty of seeing a
Fix this textthing, and then, having seen it, of making others see it at second-
Fix this texthand. His description of the Mount Lyell fields and the manner
Fix this textin which they are worked was exceedingly interesting, as, indeed,
Fix this textwas every feature of the trip upon which he dwelt. It is confidently
Fix this textexpected that there will be an exodus of Prestonites to Tasmania tn
Fix this texta very short time.
Fix this textAfter several of the members had expressed their appreciation of
Fix this textthe paper, Mr. Whalley was accorded the thanks of the branch for
Fix this textthe trouble he had taken in its composition.
Fix this textT. GAUNT & CG.
Fix this text(Established 1852),
Fix this textWatchmakers, Jewellers,
Fix this textand Optic ians,^^^^
Fix this textCR. BOURKE STREET AND ROYAL ARCADE.
Fix this textWedding and Birthday Presents in Great Variety.
Fix this textWatches, Jewellery, Optical and all other Repairs. Engagement
Fix this textand Wedding Rings, English, American and Swiss Watches.
Fix this textTHE BEST VALUE AND MOST RELIABLE QUALITY.
Fix this textA Skilled Optician always in attendance to test the
Fix this textSight—GRATIS.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-872264073
(1897). The advance Australia Retrieved March 14, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-872264073
The advance Australia Melbourne: F. Davison, 1897. Web. 14 March 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-872264073>
1897, The advance Australia F. Davison, Melbourne viewed 14 March 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-872264073
{{Citation
|
| title=The advance Australia.
| year=1897
| section=v. ; 44 cm.
| issue=Vol. 02 No. 02 (1 Mar 1898)
| location=Melbourne
| publisher=F. Davison
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-872264073
| id=nla.obj-872264073
| access-date=14 March 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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