FEDERATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 385, 17 July 1889, Page 5

FEDERATION.

Our representative suggested that as federation was a burning question in the colunies just now, some information on this subject would be welcome. Mr Bright ab this exhibited some warmth, and delivered himseli thus : "The only thing I am perfectly certain of ib that a protective taritl in the different colonies would be the surest and safest bar to any Imperial federation, if it were sought." " You are not a protectionist ? ' "I should think not. I sum itup in this way : If any man can explain to me how he can increase his substance by buying in the dearest market and selling in the cheapest, instead of buying in the cheapest and selling in the dearest, I shall be ready to become a protectionist." "At the same time I presume you recognise the desirability of federation ?" " Oh, the millennium is a thing anxiously to be hoped for, but it will not come by hoping, and it is nonsense for people to prate about Imperial Federation so long as they impose prohibitive tariffs." Our reporter remarked that if federation depended on the adoption of free trade throughout the colonies it would be exceedingly remote. Mr Bright was thereupon struck with the idea that he had been doing his best to make a convert. " Perhaps the Stab is a protectionist paper, though," he suggested cautiously, and when assured that this journal was a firm advocate of that policy, he observed, "Just so, that's the way in the colonies. Well, 1 suppo&e, in that case you won't publish what I have said, but it's all true nevertheless." He was assured that his conclusion was erroneous, as we made a point of giving fair play to both sides, and the observations on "federation" having: been read over from the reporter's notes Mr Bright de- [ cided that they were verbally correct, and accurately represtentative of his convictions.