FEDERATION CONFERENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 445, 12 February 1890, Page 5

FEDERATION CONFERENCE.

THE OFFICIAL BANQUET. SPEECH BY SIR HENRY PARKES. EARNEST APPEAL FOR FEDERATION. Melbourne, February 7. The official banquet in connection with the Federation Conference was held in the Parliament House last night, in the Queen s Hall, which was decorated with unusual magnificence for the occasion, and presented a brilliant spectacle. His Excellency the Governor, the Earl of tfopetoun, was present. The guests numbered about 200, and included the leading citizens of the colony. THE GOVERNOR’S HEALTH. The Premier, Mr Gillies, in proposing “The Health of the Governor,’ said they had met for che purpose of ascertaining how far their hopes and aspirations justified them in believing that they were in a position to make some suggestions which would enable them to see, if they were convinced, that the time was ripe to unite the colonies in a great Federation. If they were enabled to come to this conclusion at the present moment, that time was ripe for appointing a convention to deal with the matter, Federation would have made a vast advance in the interests of the whole of Australia. As to the old country, if ever the occasion rose they would be only too glad to render assistance to the Empire in the capacity of a united Australia. THE EARL OF HOPETOUN’S REPLY In response was excellently delivered was well received. It was characterise by strong sympathy with the cause of United Australia, _ but he carefully refrained from entering into any details of anv probable federation scheme. He took occasion to strongly emphasise the belief that federation, so far from weakening the bonds of the Empire, would, as in the case of Canada, render those colonies under the Dominion Government more loyal in their attachment to the mother countrv. “UNITED AUSTRALIA.” Mr Service made a long speech in proposing “ United Australia, ’ a large part of which was taken up by an explanation of the origin and operations of the lederal Council. In regard to this, his most important remark was the distinct admission chat the Federal Council had been a comparative failure. Although he did not quarrel with New South Wales for its abstention from the Council, he attributed its non-success entirely to the action of the mother colony, without whose co-operation success was impossible. He. predicted that in the event of any Federal scheme being adopted as the result of the Conference’s comparative failure, failure would again be the result if any important colony refrained from co-operation. One of his most emphatic declarations, and one which called forth prolonged cheering, was that “ under Federation we must have no border Custom-houses.” Mr Service clearly indicated that in his opinion any scheme of Federation which perpetuated the present system of provincial protection would be a downright absurdity. sTr H. PARKES’S ADDRESS.

Sir Henry Parkes, on rising bo respond, wijis greeted with demonstrative applause. He said, in the course of his speech, “Perhaps the far-seeingstudenb and philosophers of history can see what is being attempted at the present moment, whilst the general people of the Australasian colonies are going on with bartering and merry-making, without considering the immensity of what can only occur once in a world’s history. There cannot be two birthdays of a national existence in this country. Australia, with such ample space, with s'uch inviting varieties of soil and climate, with such wealth hidden in the soil, and with such unrivalled richness in the soil itself, and with people occupying soil unequalled by any in the whole range of the human race in creative properties, what is there impossible to them ? the basis of a nation. “ On calculation, I have been enabled to show that, including New Zealand, we only want two hundred thousand to make four millions of people. That is a basis for national life ; if nob, there never will be national life ; and four millions of people, all of British origin, knitted to the soil by tie 3 of birth, parentage, friendship, life, marriage, and ties of children, if they are nob capable of making a nation of united Australasia, why, we are nob rib hardly to occupy this bounteous country. Success cannot descend upon the industrial classesof any portion of Australian territory without affecting the prosperity of the whole group. Is there a man living in any part of Australia who will say that it will be to the advantage of the whole of the colonies to remain separated by petty animosities, with border Custom-houses, and with all the feuds which border Customs generate until the end of time ? I do not believe there is a sane man in the population of Australia, who would say such an absurd thing. If that is admitted, the question is reduced to its very limits, and it follows that some time or other we must unite as one great Australian people. Let those who are opposed to the union point out any advantage bo be gained by delay. Is it possible for human intellect to conceive any advantage likely bo arise from delay ? L>on’b we alf agree that delay will only make difficulties all the greater? If this reasoning be correct, we have now arrived at a time when we are fully justified by all the laws which regulate the growth of free communities to unite under one government and one flag. what federation means. “ A 1 United Australia ’ means to me no separation from the Empire. (Loud and continuous cheers.) It means to make no attempt to create some separate political organisation. Admitting, as I do, that the interest of the people of Australia ought bo be the first object, concern, and consideration, I say that our interests must not bo promoted by any rash, thoughtless attempt to cause separation from the grand old

country of which we are all so proud. (Cheers.) Free communities must have a guiding head, and I would like to ask any thoughtful student of history what supreme head they could have more attractive, more in consonance with the true principles of liberty, than a sovereign under whose beneficent reign more improvements have been carried out for the amelioration of the human race than in the reign of any other sovereign on the face of the earth. There is no reign of any emperor, king, potentate, which includes such tremendous advantages and improvements to the whole world for the spread of Christian civilisation, and for increasing the happiness of the masses of the human race to such an extent as the reign of Queen Victoria. national life. “ National life must bo a broad river of living water. Your fiscal motion is like unto the planting of a few stones on the cutting of a sandbank to direct the current so as to conserve your own ends. The question of a tariff is dwarfed by. the great overshadowing question of living and eternal national existence. The warmest ad voeate of free-trade and protection must, after all, admit that it is, to a large extent, a device for carrying out human notions ; but there is no human notion about eternal life for a free nation. What I understand by a ‘ United Australia’ is the sinking of ail subordinate questions. New South Wales is prepared and I answer for her Parliament and people—to go into this national union without making any bargain whatever, without stipulating for any advantage whatever to ourselves, but trusting to the good faith, intelligence, and justice of the Federal Parliament. AN EXHORTATION. We shall try as best we may, and we are anxious to join with our neighbours in trying in every way to create this united Australia. My colleagues come here with no preconceived notion, with no binding instructions, but to enter in good faith into consultation with the rest of the members and of the gentlemen now representing seven colonies. Let us rise to the dignity of the question challenging our attention. There can be no question whatever of the result; but alter all the determination rests with the population of the colonies, and whatever may be done by colonists or conferences, depend upon it, the question being opened, it will be expanded wider and wider. Suppose wo are united Australasia, we will be able to command the respect of the world as a united nation. Every colony would be the better, for by this union no injury could resnlt to any fair claim or honest interest, and .1 am altogether in favour of losing no time in bringing about this united Australasia. A GREAT MOVEMENT. “ Our countrymen in the United Statesare looking an this movement with the keenest interest, and if thoughtful men of Great Britain, America, and Australia look at the question this way, can we have better guarantee that we are right? Unless it can be shown that at some stated period we shall be in a better position, I say this is the time to bring about a United Australia. Irrespective of the Conference, I wish to make it known to the world that so long as I have power I shall not cease to labour to bring about this noble issue, and I have no doubt that this representative meeting reflects the sentiment of the colonies, and that the time has come when we .ought to appear before the world as ‘ United Australia.’ ” Upon Sir Henry rising to speak, the whole company stood up and cheered him for several minutes. Similar demonstrations were accorded him during the course of his speech, and when he sat down three cheers were loudly called lor, and most enthusiastically given. The proceedings closed with the toast of “ The Chairman.” TO-DAY’S SITTING OF THE CONFERENCE. Sir 11. Parkes was indisposed this morning, and unable to move the resolution at the Conference. As his resolution was the first business to be brought forward to-day, the Conference adjourned until Monday. It is understood that Sir Henry Parkes will make a lengthy speech in moving liis resolution, and it was this conclusion which led the Conference to adjourn owing to his indisposition. His speech is naturally looked forward to as the speech of the Conference, and the debate will be commenced after the speech has been printed and distributed. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly will entertain the delegates at his residence, Dandenong Ranges, to-morrow. Sir Henry Parkes was not very well last night, and the strain of the long speech, combined with the intensely hot weather, prostrated him. PRESS OPINIONS. Sydney, February 7. The “ Daily Telegraph ” says the Premiers of Victoria and New South Wales are evidently in accord with reference to the Federation question, but it is difficut to predict what the action of the other delegates may be. New Zealand, we fear, is very much inclined to say that Australasia is unripe for Federation, although Australia may be. The “Sydney Morning Herald” thinks the resolutions to be proposed by -Mr Deakin will be the apple of discord as an attempt to revive the Federal Council. Melbourne, February 7. The “ Argus,” referring to the banquet last night, that Sir Henry Parkes faced the fiscal policy boldly, and he is ready to remit the fiscal issue to the good sense and wisdom of tne Australian Parliaments. Considering that the Federal Parliament is composed in every instance save New South Wales of representatives of more or less protectionist colonies, there should be little to fear among Victorian protectionists at the result.. The “Age” says that if Mr Dealdn’s motion is carried, it will make any further advance in the direction of Federation unnecessary for the present. We do not suppose that Mr Deakin’s motion was deliberately intended to cancel that of Sir Henry Parkes, though in effect it does.