THE Evening Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1909, 18 June 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1869.

Motions are frequently adopted in representative assemblies that seem to promise rich results, but which produce nothing. We trust a different fate awaits that to which we are about to call attention. Last session, on the motion of Mr Yogel, the House of Representatives resolved—“ That, in “ the opinion of this House, it is de- “ sirable steps should be taken to “ ascertain the position which the “ Colony holds in relation to Comtner- “ cial Treaties made by Great Britain “ with Foreign Countries, and espe- “ dally that authority should be sought “ to enable New Zealand, in conjunc- “ tion with the other Australasian “ Colonies, to enter into negotiations “ with the United States for the free “ admission of wool, the product of “ these Colonies.” Acting upon this resolution, Mr Stafford addressed a circular to the va'ious Australasian Governments, enclosing reports of the debate on the motion, and pointing out that “ community of interest demands “ community of action, and, with that “ view, the Government of New Zea- “ land is anxious to join with the “ Governments of other Colonies in “ devising and adopting some united “ course of proceeding, which, by the “ aid of Imperial legislation or other- “ wise, would enable the obstacles “ which have hitherto existed to be “ overcome, and would permanently “ secure the object in view,” The difficulty in the way of the Colonies helping themselves in the matter is, the interference that any action of their own might involve in the commercial legislation of the Mother Country. This is one of the inconveniences incident to their relations to Great Britain, and was experienced in the disallowance of a Tasmanian Act to promote Intercolonial Free Trade by the Imperial Government. Mr Stafford suggested a conference of delegates, to meet at Sydney for the consideration of subjects of common interest to the Australasian Group, and suggested as additional subjects ; “ The Ocean Postal Service, the es- “ tiblishment of a depot at the Auck- “ land Islands, and the erection of a “ rght-house on the Snares.” Replies were received from the Governments of Tasmania-, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, approving of the proposal, and suggesting the meeting of the proposed conference in Sydney, sometime in March or April. The Hon. T. B. Stephens, of Queensland, suggested, “ That the following matters “ ought to form the principal subjects “ of deliberation:—

l&t. To a'vce ta‘n the exact position ard powers of tje several Austra'i- n Colon’es in relation to existing ooiarocvlal treaties

between G xat Britain a. d foreign coun

tri< r. _ ' 2nd. To confer ard advise upon the best means of obtaining for these Colonies freedom of action, so as to enable them, should they desire, to negociate—(a.) The admission into other countries, dvty free, or upon such terms as may be agreed upon, the products of Australia and ISew Zealand ; and

(hj.) The free interchange of products between New Zealand and the Austral;an Colonies respectively.

3rd. To deliberate and report upon the expediency or otherwise of establishing a uniform Tariff for the Colonies.

We are not informed as to the cause of the delays that have taken place, excepting that the Conference was postponed from the earliest period proposed on account of the heat, that would probably prevail in Sydney at the time : and further on account of the subsequent meetings of Legislatures, But important as are the objects to be attained,

the correspondence was brought to a close by Mr Stafford suggesting, that delegates from. New Zealand could not attend earlier than the Ist October.

It will be seen on reference to the subjects suggested for consideration, that practically they are identical with those discussed by the Chambers of Commerce that met lately at Sydney. The time has really come when the Colonies should be free to form their own commercial arrangements untrammelled by the legislation of the Mother country. The tie that binds them together is very slight, and in some points of view disadvantageous. The Colonies must share in the common danger of the Empire and in the common commercial restrictions. The first may, at some time, perhaps not very distant, be a very serious drawback to the honor of forming a portion of the British communion. Commercial restrictions, the remn ..nts of the old mercantile system, slip continue to hamper British trade and are found detrimental to Co’onial interests as they prevent special arrangements being made for the extension of Colonial commerce. The evident determination on the part of the Mother Country to withdraw from all responsibilities connected with her Colonial possessions requires in all fairness that they should be left in every way to manage their own affairs. Interests are growing up rapidly in these Southern seas in which the old countries in the Northern Hemisphere are but very remotely concerned. The rapidly increasing development of various industries, fostered by peculiarities of climate and productions, is rendering the abolition of all Imperial meddling pernicious. Old customs are giving way to new lights. In a very few years Queensland will be able to supply New Zealand with sugar, while, in return, the abundance of the colony in cereals, and other productions of our temperate latitudes, will be gladly received. The varieties of soU and climate within easy distance, and the vast populations that stud the Pacific Ocean, promise at no distant date to develop a commerce without parallel in the world’s history, and this may be hastened or retarded by present legislation. 1f we are to reap the full benefit derivable from the relative positions of the Colonies, it wiU not do to confine ou c views to the narrow boundaries of our own sea-girt islands. Wider views than the suggestions of individual interest must be adopted. We must work not only on our own position, but on that of others, and then the enlarged conceptions to be gathered 'from the conference, embodied in legislation, will give a momentum to Colonial development, of which isolated arrangements are incapable.