The whole of Australia is a part of the British Empire. When its government is referred to, it is called the Commonwealth of Australia. The Commonwealth consists of the six states and colonies of Australia and the island of Tasmania. Of these states, Western Australia is much the largest, but Victoria and New South Wales are the most important. The principal cities of the Commonwealth are Sydney and Melbourne. The former is the larger, with a population of about 640,000. Melbourne, the present seat of the government of the Commonwealth, has a population of about 600,000. Both are important seaports. The trade of Melbourne amounts annually to $2,000,000, and that of Sydney, to $3,000,000. The government of the Commonwealth is fashioned after that of Great Britain. The laws are made by a Federal Parliament, which at present meets in a beautiful building that you see. This Parliament consists of the King of England, who is represented by a Governor General, a senate, and a house of representatives. The Governor General is appointed by the king and the senators are elected for a period of six years. There are 36 senators in all. The representatives number about twice the senators. The Executive Department consists of the Governor General and a council of Ministers of State. To pass upon the laws there is a judicial department consisting of a high court and lower courts. Like the United States, the Commonwealth of Australia has set aside a district. Here the capital is to be built. This is at Canberra, in New South Wales, about two-thirds of the distance from Melbourne to Sydney. Keystone ID: 15908 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.