The Globe. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 910, 25 May 1877, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1877.

Our, readers may remember the attentions win'eli were paid by our various Chambers ot Commerce, to the Honorable J. Young, the representative of the Dominion of Canada at the Sydney Exhibition. Considerable trouble was taken not only here, but elsewhere throughout New Zealand, to place our resources before him in the best light possible. The other Australian colonies received him in a similar manner, and the result has been a very favourable impression. " I am," he says, " very much impressed with the grandeur of all the colonies; but New Zealand stands out in broad contrast to the whole, and is not exceeded by any in beauty and future prospects." There is one thing wanting, Mr. Young thinks, to establish our prosperity on a permanent basis. We must Federate. We must combine under one General Government the whole of the Australian colonies. Till that is done lie has come to the conclusion that none of the colonies can ever arrive at the greatness they are capable of achieving. The testimony of an independent and experienced witness like Mr Young to our position and bright prospects, must be gratifying to all true colonists. What they have done in the Dominion of Canada, should nerve our public men to exert themselves in the same direction. By the federation of the various North American colonies, free trade has been established throughout the entire length of the Dominion." The army of custom-house officers had been disbanded, and duties are now collected for revenue only." " The result," he added, " has been highly satisfactory, and advantageous to the country. By this union our country is no longer a mere set of disconnected states or provinces, each having its respective rights ; but they at once have become a power, with free commercial intercourse with each other, under one general government, and through this they vastly increased their financial, military, and political poAver, as well as their general prosperity." But we are afraid it will be long before Mr. Young's aspirations are realised. The fiscal policies of the various colonies are so very different. A r ictoria is becoming more and more protectionist; New South AVales is as decidedly free trade in her tendencies ; while this colony is interested in obtaining as large a revenue as possible from her customs. Eeciprocity is the favourite substitute put forward by the leaders of protection in Yictoria. Such an arrangement, it is contended, would be equally congenial to free traders and protectionists. The Sydney Mommy Herald points out that it would have an entirely opposite effect, and would be objectionable and injurious to both. " It would aggravate the injustice of protection by withdrawing it from men who produce for the home market only, in order to give greater advantages to others who are cultivating an export trade"; while on the other hand reciprocity is opposed to the principles of free exchange, and could never be accepted by genuine free traders. We are afraid therefore that federation is still in the far distant future.

The WaitakiCounty Council lias raised a question which ought to be settled at once. The members of that bodywant free passes on the railways, and they complain loud and bitterly, that with the exception [of the chairman, they are only allowed one on the clays on which the Council sits. If the Government are not careful this free pass system will develope into a huge nuisance. We have already, it is said, an M.H.E. making use of his privilege in a manner never contemplated by Parliament, when free passes were granted to members of the House. Besides, if the concession is once made to the County Councillors, where is the G-overnment to stop. As the Daily Times points out, " why should not members of Road Boards and Borough Councillors enjoy the same privilege? Their functions are as useful as those of County Councillors, and there is no valid reason why fish should be made of the one and flesh of the other." A line must be drawn somewhere, and the Government cannot do better than draw it at County Councillors. Unless they do. we may be having every free and independent elector claiming a similar privilege.