FEDERATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 84, 17 April 1901, Page 2

FEDERATION.

COLONEL PITT’S VIEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney’, April 16. Colonel Pitt, of the New Zealand Federal Commission, interviewed, said that he came here with a perfectly open mind. Speaking personally, the evidence had given a different complexion to what he had heard in New Zealand as to the probable oiicct of freetrade. It was represented that a large proportion of trade, would go to Tasmania. He found, however, that Australia can pretty wall produce all that was necessary for its own maintenance. It was a mistake to suppose that tiiese states depended upon New Zealand for malting barley, which ho was convinced can bo just as well produced here. The evidence, however, shows that New Zealand oats are of a superior quality. Ho denied the complaints published in New Zealand that the commission was ignored by the Australian' press. The commission had arrived when the states' were ip the throes of an election. Further proceedings were not open to the press, many members of which in Australia rendered valuable assistance.

Mr Leys, of the New Zealand Federal Commission, speaking to an interviewer, said there was little doubt that New Zealand, if federated, would have to make goou, either from direct taxation or by the adoption of surplus revenues, at least .£.350,000 a year. This itself would not presept any great difficulty, but it should be observed that after preriding for the loss named the colony would still have to provide some form of direct taxation for any works which are not sufficiently reproductive to pay’ the whole of the interest on the cost of construction. Thus freedom of action in entering upon such schemes for the development of the country, as its Government hitherto favored, would be materially curtailed. This was one of the" chief difficulties' which presented itself in the way of New Zealand’s entrance into the federation.