AN M.H.R. ON FEDERATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 January 1901, Page 4

AN M.H.R. ON FEDERATION.

Mr W. H. Field, M.H.R., thinks it would be premature for him or any other New Zealand legislator to express a decided opinion as to Federation. The question has not yet become a crucial one in our colony, and consequently the probable advantages and disadvantages of Federation hove not yet received mature consideration. Until the report of the Commission of Enquiry is before us it would be better to say little on the subject. At present, however, the general tendency in the New Zealand Parliament, and, he believes, in the colony generally, is against Federation. There is undoubtedly a strong feeling of affection for the sister colonies and a general desire to work with them for the good of all. Probably what would meet with most favour in New Zealand would be an agreement as to tariff and defence questions rather than complete federation. The New Zealander will never be coerced into federating. For two reasons, however, Mr Field is sure there is no fear of a tariff of a punitive or prohibitive character—first, there is not, nor is there likely to be, any illfeeling between Australia and New Zealand on the Federal question; and secondly, a tariff which shut out New Zealand products from the Commonwealth and thus reduce its Customs revenue will not suit Australia any more thanfit will suit New Zealand.