The Federation Conference

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 99, 13 February 1890, Page 3

The Federation Conference

4By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright. I PE« UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. I - Mjexbotjenb, February 11, Captain Russell (New Zealand) said was not only in the air as sotne of the speakers said but he be« i&eyed it would not be long before it was an accomplished fact and a few .years would perhaps see a United Australia a great power in the South■«rn Seas. He did not see any great -difficulty in, the way whatever. He ■believed, however, that the colony £rona which he came could not join in -this federation, although they would Be' Chappy to work in concord with the -Australian Continent. They could hot -expect that, for the next few years at «ny rate, New Zealand would merge aat growing manhood into the maturer manhood of Australia. To tell them -New Zealand would do so would bo to tell them what he, at all events, did arot believe. It would be to New Zealand's disadvantage to join a Federal 'Government of this kind, of which -they would form such an insigniiicant 3>art. New ".Zealand had interes s aud of other- than A istra lian character. There was the Nitive -administration for instance. They "could not hand that over to a Federal for such a Government •would be composed of gentlemen who &new little -or nothing about the mode of dealing with the Maoris. There were kindred subjects which needed v«ry careful treatment.* New Zealand would "be happy to join with Au&tra lia in any system of naval defer cc. but he confessed he did uut see hu.v -sbe was to be benefitttd by a fedeia -army. He did not doubt that the Australians would be quite willing to •despatch an army to New Zealand if the occasion required it ; but it was not likely to be of any service, for if they were aubj ctad to a filibustering *aid it would oe all over before the ■army could reach them. A federal ■army would simply involve New Zea iand in difficulties of expense, which •she could ill afford to bear. There were however, some things in which she might join. For instance there Tyas a reciprocity in trade and the •establishment of an uniform xnatri monial law. For himseif he would »ay he could not participate in anything involving the Colony in more than protection, as he considered it to their advantage as a large exporting country, to hare their markets as free as possible. New Zealand would meet Australia in happiness and concord, but he could not say she could jnst at present join a Federal Dominion, although she might in time to come when in a better position to do so. He had intended to move an amendment to iSir H. Farkes' motion, ."but if Sir Henry would alter the 'words " Australasian Colonies" to ** Australian Colonies" he would content himself with moving a further resolution to the effect that any Colony so desiring might subsequently be admitted to the confederation upon such terms and conditions as might be agreed upon. February 12. It is understood that a portion of the sitting of Conference will be conducted ■with closed doors. 'Yesterday was de« Toted to the consideration of the position •of New -Zealand in relation to the other colonies. The New Zealand representatives, whilst unwilling to commit the ■colony to federation, urged that the ■colony should be represented at the Con-vention-and that the basis of federation should be such as to permit New Zealand And Fiji entering at some future time should -they find it desirable to do so. - ' ■ London. December 11. Xord Brassey, in a letter to the Times condemns the apathy, displayed by the Imperial Government with regard to the transportation of the French recidivistes to the Pacific Islands. The Times, in an article on the Australian Federation Conference, deplores the illness of Sir Henry Parkes,whom. it says is the most commanding figure in Australian politics. The tariff is the most formidable lion id the path of federation and it considers that Mr Service is clearly correct m his opinion that there can be no national unity without a uniform tariff. The Times goes on to say if the Conference only agrees in common as to army and oavy, much will have been maintained and complete federation is to emerge from dreamland, it must be through the federation of the groups.