FEDERATION.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1256, 16 March 1878, Page 3

FEDERATION.

To the Editor of the Globe, Sir, —Now that a temporary peace is patched up in Europe, and war is postponed for a short time, the public of the Pacific from Borneo to Antipodes, and from Perth to Fiji, should turn its attention to Federation, as proposed by me through all these years. The public ought to know that this is no new idei with me: before touching politics publicly I privately studied them for thirty years —having condensed my learning into a book called " Statecraft," which is a comprehensive, cosmopolitan statement of facts. In 1875 I ventured before the public, and amongst the published extracts of thought was a letter in the " Lyttelton Times," embracing a sevenfold federation—wide as the world. The idea took little attention in sleepy Canterbury; but Sir Julius Vogel borrowed my proposal, took it home, and, in my judgment, spoilt the whole idea, as he spoiled Mr Stafford's railway policy, and abolition policy, by selfishness. Put forth as lis own, he published them, in the 19th century, and then what a shout! because a political charlatan had spoilt the plans of a thinker. The mind of Sir Julius is essentially selfish, therefore inevitably narrow and ignorant. He spoilt the idea by confining it to the English—swaggering about an Empire —and leaving other nations to go to the devil, I suppose. His idea is rotten to the core; but, dropping that, is not this the better way ? Rural and civic municipalities federated into.a geographical, distinct State ; the States federated into geographical Congresses; the federated Congresses into the Empire of Peace, with the abolition of armieß and navies.

Tims we have seven Congresses to begin with :—Pacific United States, African States, Canadian States, Atlantic United States, South American Slates, British States (i.e. England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales), European States, and so forth all over the globe. To further these ideas I wrote the verses " Dedicated to all the nations of the world." About December, 1877, I began writing to the Cabinets of the Pucific, and finally sent them the following letter : " To the Colonial Secretaries,|Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart Town, Adelaide, Wellington. "Sir, —I have the pleasure to'address, to your Cabinet, circular letter on the great question of Defer oo 5 it has been sent to all the Cabinets of the Pacific, and it has the support of every intelligent man in this district. " England cannot defend us, as the Marquis of Norrnanby puts it, ' even if she were disposed to do bo,' and by deputing Sir William Jervois to see to it, at our expense, she has referred the whole question of our European connections to these nations, larger far (as we are) than the Atlantic United States when they became free. " The resolutions enclosed show the form in which these States can be made one great nation and free. The details can be easily arranged, and I urge, as reasons for this step, the Pacific colonies have to consider the following facts:—l. That independence and neutrality secure our commerce. 2. That they secure English interests in these seas. 3. They can establish the doctrine of non-inter-ference. 4. By securing all these, they will attract capital, commerce, and population, which insecurity destroys. 5. Our childish dependence on England would cease, and a true national life would be commenced, because : (>. The Congress of the Pacific United States must discuss Customs union, Ocean post, Pacific telegraph, Franchise, Ecpresentation, status of Legislative Councils, Panama canal, Intercolonial law, &C.—l am, Sir, yours very sincerely, J. W. Tbeajjwell." [Resolutions enclosed to each Cabinet, with foot note also.] 1. Resolved—" That these united colonies are free and independent states; that all political connection, other than the usual diplomatic relations between them and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and any or all of the European nations, or nations of this world, is hereby totally dissolved."

2. Eesolved—"That the Pacifi? United States, with firm reliance on God, do hereby mutually pledge to each other our blood, our wealth, and our honor." Note—The Anglican Church and the Wesleyan Church have established their indedeuce of English bodies. So now you see a cable conference is to be held as suggested by me in a special private letter. I also fired a political bombshell into Chrietchurch, by exposing, in the shortest wuy, our defenceless state —the folly of Sir William Jervois—freedom our only safety. Not one single reason has bpen put out against it. A few anonymous scribblers vented their passions, pride, ignorance, foolhardinese, and hatred; but I have the approval of every reasoning man in the district, for this law, viz.: "That Federation of all the States of the Pacific is necessary, excellent, and required without further delay, in order to put us beyond the reach of the ' Barbarous Europeans,' who if they federated their States would be free to-morrow." Yours, &c, J. W, tfREAPWE&L,