AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8784, 11 April 1907, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.

Its Future Prospects

Press Association—Copyright. London, April 10.

Dr Hackett, of IVestralia, road a paper at the Colonial Institute on some federal tendencies in Australia. He pointed out that federation had not secured the preponderance of sympathy and popular approval once expected, while many who once were sanguine believers considered federation a mistaken and premature experiment, the results of .which, financial, political and federal, were more than doubtful. Yet despite dissatisfaction on") could hardly doubt that there was a general conviction not only that federation had come to stay, but that the time had arrived when the position needed that Australia should imperatively demand all the strength and support which the union of tho six States could give. Though secession was feasible by means of passive resistance, be did not believe it would be resorted to, because the real grievances could bo redressed and disagreements amicably arranged. He regretted that the best qualified men in Australia left the Federal administration to lawyers. Ho also regretted the division of the House of Representatives into so many independent sections, and referred to the serious difficulties resulting from granting equal powers to the two Chambers. Popularising the Senate might lead to a momentous result, might alter the whole face of State politics and might go a long way towards the unification of Australia. It might, however, mortally wound responsible government as hitherto practised. Ho touched on the questions of local self-defence, a white Australia and elective ministers.

Speech by Sir Joseph Ward. Sir Joseph Ward said that Now Zealand was proud of her Australian neighbours, but happy to be independent of the anxieties affecting Australia. f i hough some clogging of the Federal machinery was unavoidable, people in Australia had determined to overcome the difficulties. He expressed the hope that no British colonies would ever give effect to the idea of an elective executive. With regard to tho Conference, representatives of the colonies were friendly but fearlessly determined to advocate the views which they believed to be for the good of the Empire. Their only desire was to solve Imperial problems. Sir W. Lyne said the dissatisfaction of States was mainly in the minds of politicians. Legislation had been progressive, perhaps too progressive for the people of'Britain, but they in the Commonwealth were more British than those living in Britain.

Mr Deakin’s Defence. Mr Deakin declared that the allegation that the Commonwealth was less popular arose from confusion of thought. Objectors did not object to federation, but to the legislation which federation had "■iven. If tho choice lay between the earlier internecine strife and federation under present conditions there would be a larger majority in favour of federation. He prophesied protection would shortly have a sweeping majority in New South Wales. Australia was a young and impatient nation, but hitherto every legislative step had been a stop forward. If anything federation came rather too late than too oarly.