FEDERATION

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 72, 28 March 1901, Page 4

FEDERATION

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir, —I have been waiting and expecting to have seen some ideas on a question which may seriously affect the future of New Zealand. I mean the question whether Federation with the Australian Colonies and Tasmania is desirable for this colony. lam prepared to admit that unless it can be shown to be to our disadvantage we ought to join the Federated Colonies, and the earlier-the better ; but in my opinion we shall be placed at an enormous disadvantage in throwing in our lot with the larger colonies, and I fail to see any possible way of remedying this disadvantage with fairness to such colonies as Tasmania. In the course of my reading lately I came across a short passage which bears on this subject, and which, I think, may he of interest to your readers. It is from a small work published over thirty years ago by H. B. Foxbourne. The paragraph runs as follows :■ “ From tho other portions of Australasia New, Zealand stands quite apart. If, as is likely, all the others soon unite after the fashion of the North American colonies in a grand Australian Confederation, the south-east group of islands (New Zealand) can havo no place therein.”. The former part of the paragraph has turned out an excellent forecast; I trust the latter will be equally exact. It was too much. to expect that the Commission now travelling the colonies should have visited places of the size and importance of Gisborne, but we shall, I suggest, be very remiss if, having opinions, we fail to make them known. It appears to me that beyond reliering the Government of some measure of responsibility, the Commission will prove to have been almost useless on the one hand, and very costly to this tax-riddem-colony on the other. Trusting I have not trespassed too far on your columns, and hoping to hear the opinions of some more capable than myself.—l am, etc., “Scrutator.” Gisborne, 26th March, 1901.