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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3006, 12 February 1881, Page 2

One result of the late Intercolonial Conference was that the colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, formally agreed, through their representatives, to hand over to a Commission the task of framing a common Customs tariff. This tariff is be based generally upon the principles of free trade. The colonies of Victoria and New Zealand are left out of this union. The Christchurch Press, referring to this subject, says:—"Our tariff has to be constructed so as to gain for us the largest possible income, and it would therefore be quite impossible to join with the other colonies in a scheme which, however desirable in itself, did not secure for us the largest amount of revenue. New Zealand, like Victoria, would have to stand outside. But the causes of the isolation would be different. This colony would, for the present, have to stand alone on account of its necessities ; Victoria, because of the confused and narrow-minded views of her statesmen on the question of protection. But

something will have been gained if the proposed Commission are able to frame a tariff which will meet «vith even a decent reception at the hands of the continental Australian colonies. One thing would lead to another, and the time might come when tbe establishment of an Australian Dominion might be dreamt of as one of the great ends which might be accompli>hed in the not distant future; By that time probably Victoria may have learnt some wisdom, and been led to understand tbat her natural resources can never be stimulated by imposing taxes upon the whole community for tbe benefit of a few individuals. The experience of the free trade colonies may by that time have taught their statesmen that a nation is grea' and prosperous, not in proportion to number of industries depending for a sickly existence upon the bounty of tbe State, but in accordance with tbe extent to which the natural resources of the country are developed. And, in time, New Zealand also may have so far recovered from her difficulties as to be in a position to join on tqual terms with her Australian neighbors in the establishment of a union which shall embrace tbe entire continent and all the adjoining islands."