Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1801. FEDERATION WITH AUSTRALIA.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 22 February 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1801. FEDERATION WITH AUSTRALIA.

Some time ago we expressed our opinion of the gentlemen composing the Federation Commission, ancl pointed out that the result of that enquiry would almost inevitably be against joining with Australia. Tho character of the evidence given so far strengthens this opinion. But of tho evidence itself, what can be said in commendation of it ? Nothing that we are aware of. It seems to us that the subject from a national standpoint has been touched upon, that the welfare of the people of the colony in the first instance, and of these and others in Australia as an integral part of the British Empire has not been deemed worthy of consideration. The people have been ignored and narrow trades issues pressed forward as causes for or against Federation. A leather merchant advances the argument that Federation would destroy his trade as without protection he could not compete with Australia. A bootmaker and a candlemaker advances life reasons, while Sir John Hall declares there are 1,200 reasons against Federation —and does not advance a single argument. Truly this is a lamentable comment; but only what was to be expected. And the blame lies entirely with our public men. What have they done in the cause of Federation; or aginst it ? Again we have to declare " nothing."

They have not oven discussed its merits and demerits. Is it that the problem is beyond them; 'twould appear to be so. If not they would have been airing their eloquence on the subject. As apparently they have n 6 ideas on the subject, a commission has been set up—set up before the question has been debated in Parliament—to ascertain the ideas of the people; and we, presume, educate and enlighten our legislators on the subject. We shall doubtless get some ideas of a broad and comprehensive character from the people; but it says little for our legislators, for our leaders, that they have not taken the platform and given a lead ; and now the wretched nostrum of protection is allowed to run rampant as a convincing argument of the evils of federating with Australia. Up to the present time the Labor Party has supported the Protective Policy, but the laborers themselves are beginning to realise its evils, and when they thoroughly realise how they have burdened themselves by protection, they will look back in astonishment at their previous folly. Truly, if no better arguments against federation than that of a few trade interests can be advanced, then the opponents have but little natural resource. At the same time the advocates for the movement are equally weak in their reasons, and unless something better is forthcoming, the enquiries of the Commissioners will not be worth the cost of printing. It will, however, set back the movement for a time—but only for a time.