FEDERATION COMMISSION

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 21 February 1901, Page 4

FEDERATION COMMISSION

(per press association.)

Christchurch, February 19,

Henry Wood, flour miller, gave evidence to the effect that federation would bo a bad thing for the millers, as Australian flour would compete on equal terms with the South Island product in the North Island. The South Island produced practically all the wheat grown in New Zealand and could only send wheat to Australia in time of failure of crops there through drought.

H. F. Wigiam, malster, said that if we did not federate we would probably kill malting in New Zealand. J. Gould, merchant, considered that the farming industry would be greatly benefited by federation. The trade with Australia in oats, barley, potatoes, onions and other produce would bo greatly increased, whereas a high protective tariff would stop trade except in times of drought. New Zealand standing alone wou d bo outweighed by the Commonwealth when a difference of interests arose. He did not think onr manufactures would be prejudicially affected bj federating. The colony would be as well represented in the Federal Parliament as Queensland or Western Australia. G. Humphreys, merchant, was decidedly opposed to federation. Ho considered that New Zealand and Australia produced practically the same things. The English market must always rule the prices. Two out of each three years Australia could do without our potatoes. G. S. Jakins, produce merchant, doing business for forty years with Australia, thought that it would be ruinous for this colony to stand out of federation, as far as agricultural interests were concerned. With federation the colony could double its exports to Australia. Tasmania alone could produce all the potatoes required in Australia if necessary. The manufacturers had nothing to fear, as New Zealand could doubtless get from federation the same terms as Western Australia, and be allowed to retain its customs duties for five years, reducing them by 5 per cent per year. It would be better to part of a large nation than an isolated small one, and this colony had no reason to distrust the other colonies. The Federal Government would have the right to take 25 per cent of our customs, but we have no reason to assume that it would do so. His examination had not been concluded when the Commission rose for the day. Later. At the Federation Commission Beaven, of Andrews & Beaven, strongly supported Federation as a means of distribution of another two million pounds amongst our small farmers.