MR. HENNIKER HEATON’S OPINIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 January 1901, Page 3

MR. HENNIKER HEATON’S OPINIONS.

In the course of an interview granted to the N. Z. Times “ special ” in Sydney. Mr Heneiker Heaton, M.P., said ho was a great admirer of the Hon J. G. W ard. Postmaster-General of New Zealand, who lie claims, has been largely instrumental in instituting the penny postage scheme in this colony. In Mr Heaton’s opinion New Zealand is more highly thought of in Great Britain than any of the Australian colonies. He said he would be very angry if New Zealand is stupid enough to join the Australian Commonwealth, because she is a separate entity, and occupies a very unique position in the world. New Zealand is particularly well thought of by Englishmen, and she occupies a higher position in the esteem and r.’gard of Englishmen than any Australian colony, because they regard it as more nearly approximating to English conditions. Asked if it would be wise for this colony to join the Australian federation, Mr Heaton said: —“I cannot see what benefit they will derive from the connection, and they should work out their own destiny themselves.” Mr Heaton declined'to discuss the matter more fully, or to state whether English statesmen held the same view as himself.