The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1884. THE FEDERATION QUESTION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 75, 25 February 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1884. THE FEDERATION QUESTION.

A bather important item of cable news appeared in our last issue, in which it would appear that the Imperial Government is inclined to look on the question of Federation of the Australian Colonies as already nearly settled. Of late, several Home papers have undertaken to discuss the question, and, in doing so, came to the unreasonable conclusion that, simply because the “ delegates” had conferred on the subject in a fraternal spirit, the matter was already almost decided. In keeping with the usual stupid conception Home writers have of Colonial affairs, two or three of the leading English papers—evidently impressed with the idea that the “ delegates ” are all-important personages—have deemed it proper to nearly settle the Federation question, and, accordingly, come to the conclusion that the grand finale to the movement only rests with the Imperial Government, It appears to us a most singular thing that, in dealing with a matter of such vital importance as the Federation of the Australasian Colonies, it has never, apparently, occurred to Home journalists that the people of these Colonies have some little independence in their composition, and that, although a few “ delegates” may hobnob and participate in a “ pleasant time of it," there is a probability of the interests of Colonial * cousins ’ clashing in future discussions on this subject. The centralisation feature of the question, for instance, is one that will, no doubt, cause some feeling of jealousy and contention, while there are other matters—such as the arrangement of Customs duties, 4c.—which require careful consideration. It could not have been supposed by Colonial politicians that th< delegates had the power to comnnr their several Governments to any important line of action, and we fail to comprehend how it is that writers in leading Home papers have acted foolishly by expressing decided opinions—or rather assertions—on a subject that they have not a thorough comprehension of. Sir George Grey—although rather peculiar at times—lately dealt with the Federation question in, we think, a consistent manner, and pointed out that “ no scheme of Federation can origi • nate except with Parliament, and that the Governor can only appoint a Commissioner or Commissioners—corresponding to the delegates to the Conference —by the direct authority of Parliament.” Of course, the Colonial Governments are responsible bodies, and it is impossible for a few would-be dictators in their ranks to make any provision for the settlement of this highly-important matter without the concurrence of their respective Parliaments. Is it likely, we ask, that the question of

Federation will be easily settled—even between Victoria and New South Wales, whose interests should be almost identical ? Even at the present time, when leading Colonial politicians are turning their strict attention to this subject, we find that the people of Riverina are petitioning for separation from New South Wales, and for some time past the bone of contention, on the banks of the Murray, between the two principal Australian Colonies, has been (he levying of border Customs duties. Can it be expected, then, that the question of Federation will be so easily settled as our Home friends would fain make us believe? They should know that in each of the Colonies the predominant wish of weak human nature to grasp power is repeatedly being manifested, and that there are not a sufficient number of independent and noble-minded men in thj different “Houses” to carry out their measures—even if they adopt the role of patriots. Poseibly, Major Atkinson commanded some marked attention, and, no doubt, met with a courteous reception at the Conference ; but even the Premier of New Zealand has now awoke to the fact that his word is not law, and that there is a tribunal to whose wishes he must bow, in common with ordinary mortals, The Premier’s reticence on the subject of Federation has done him no good in New Zealand political circles, and he may rest assured of the fact, that the people of this Colony will have much to say in the matter at the next general election—if not before that crucial time arrives. The Premier of to-day will probably become, ere many months have passed, a very different personage—so far as Ministerial importance goes—to Major Atkinson at the Conference, and it must rest with the people to decide whether they are to be governed by a distant irresponsible body or not. It would, undoubtedly, be a most excellent thing if the question of Federation of the Australian Colonies could be effected satisfactorily; but there are many important matters to be dealt with ere that end can be attained, and we opine that some time will yet elapse ere the Imperial Government will be called on to consent to the annexation of the Wet-tern Pacific Islands. In the meantime, however, the question can, of course, be fully ventilated, and we hope that Home journals will give more attention to the subject than they appear to do at present—at the same time remembering that any dictatorial assertions of the leading English papers—even including that “mighty organ” The Times— would have but little effect in influencing the agitation in the matter of Federation. The leading papers of the Colonies are quite equal to the work of dealing with this question satisfactorily, and will not permit Old Country notions to influence them in the alteration of any course they may think proper to adopt—especially when such utter ignorance of Colonial affairs as public men at Home display are permitted to grace the columns of London journals.