FEDERATION COMMISSION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 17 April 1901, Page 4

FEDERATION COMMISSION.

(PKB PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYBIGHT .)

Sydney. April 16.

Leys, of the New Zealand Federal Commission, speaking to an interviewer, said that there was little doubt that New Zealand, if federated, would have to make good, either by direct taxation or by the adoption of surplus revenues, at least £340,000 a year. This in itself would not present any great difficulty, but it should be obsorved that after providing for the loss named the colony would still have to provide from soma form of dire :t taxation for any works which were not sufficiently reproductive to pay the whole of the interest on cost of construction; thus freedom of action in entering upon such schemes for the developement of the country, as its Government hitherto favored, would be materially curtailed. This wa3 one of the chief difficulties which presents itself in the way of New Zealand's entrance into the Federation.

Colonel Pitt, of tho New Zealand Federal Commission, on being interviewed, said that he came here with a perfectly open mind. Speaking personally, the evidence given was of a different complexion to what ho had heard in New Zealand as to the probable effects of intercolonial freetrade. It was represented that a large proportion of the trade would go to Tasmania. He found, however, that Australia can pretty well produce all that is necessary for her own maintenance. It is a mistake to suppose that these states were dependent upon New Zealand for malting barley, which he is convinced can be just as well produced here. The evidence, however, shows that New Zealand oats are superior. He denied the complaints published in New Zealand that the Commission was ignored by the Australian Press. The Commission had arrived at the conclusion that when the states were in tho throes of election.further proceedings were not open to the Press, many members of which in Australia had rendered valuable assistance.