THE FEDERAL COMMISSION REPORT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 4 July 1901, Page 3

THE FEDERAL COMMISSION REPORT.

Disappointment of Australian Press.

]PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.— COPYRIGHT.]

Received this day, at 9 30. Sydney, July 4. The Telegraph's report of the New Zealand Federal Commission confirms the general expectations by reason of remoteness of New Zealand, which would necessarily have to surrendder her governing rights to a greater extent than was required of any of the Federal States. The Herald has heard before of twelve hundred miles of sea being an insurperable barrier, but have not found it true that thousands of miles which separate the capitals and States of Australia is a barrier. It is, of course, true that the legislative independence of Australia would be affected by federation, but not more than the independence of six colonies has been affected- It is difficult to guess what wore the grounds on which the Commissioners founded their remarkable conclusion that the public credit of New Zealand would be diminished by federation, or that the argument that separates defence systems would be as effective in repeling invasion as a complete Federal Scheme. Australia does not press New Zealand to enter, but before very long that colony will find isolation has disadvantages as well as advantages. Even legislative independence can be bought at too great a price.