THE DEBATE RESUMED.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 447, 19 February 1890, Page 3

THE DEBATE RESUMED.

SIR JOHN HALL SPEAKS. Melbourne, February 12. Mr McMillan (New South Wales) resumed the debate at the Federation Conference this morning. He protested against the elaborate details as to what particular kind of Government and what sort of constitution wasbest, beingdiscussed. Sir Samuel Griffiths evidently had Federation at heart, and had only attempted to show the difficulties in the way. Sir J. G. L. Steere had attempted to knock everything down, and at last ended up by saying Australian unity was impracticable. Dr. Coclcburn thought it was impracticable, but he was glad he agreed it was desirable to federate. As for himself, he believed there was no question about the feeling of New South Wales, for they bad the highest authority —that of Parliament. They had already had such union as was never known before in the world, for there was no foreign element in the colonies. There was really only one debateable question, that of the border tariff. There could be nothing approaching federation unless the whole of the border Custom-houses were abolished. To him it appeared that Victoria was now seeing the error of her ways. No doubt she had troubles on the Murray, and felt her geographical position. However, he was willing to give Victoria a great deal. Because of the smallness of her territory in the past, she bad been isolated, and but for this, probably the object of the Conference would have already been obtained. Naturally, they must not look at the past, but determine to let bygones be bygones.. No union would be worth anything without intercolonial free trade. Why should one colony pile on duties to provoke its neighbours to cap them with still higher duties? The matter of finance had been referred to, but it seemed to him, so far as Western Australia was concerned, she would be the very one to benefit. Surely that colony now rising into the dignity of a young nation, must see that, welded together with other colonies, they were now working off 4,5, and 6 per cent, debentures, but lie looked forward to the time when they would obtain money on the same terms as England. ■ :-v ' : V ' ■ ■' Mr Baird (Tasmania) said Federation without intercolonial free trade would nob

work. Tasmania would like to stipulate for free trade ports between the colonies, levying a tariff on the outside world to be settled afterwards. .He regretted New Zealand hesitated to join. He l’emembered the time when she required assistance, and could nob help saying she might require it again, even if it took four or five days to send it. He would, however, support Captain Russell’s addition, because he was of opinion the whole of the colonies should have Federation at some time or other.

Sir John Hall (New Zealand), while agreeing with his colleague (Captain Russell) that Federation should at present be confined to the continent, said the decision they had arrived at came from no want of appreciation of the advantages of unioD, nor a spirit of lukewarmness. New Zealand wa3 at present unable to join so great a movement, though the speeches of Sir Henry Parkes and others must have carried conviction that the time for Federation had arrived. He congratulated his venerable friend on being the man to bring forward the proposal for a union. He agreed with the truth of Sir Henry Parkes’s motion in all bub one particular, that was where he said : Nature had placed no impediment in the way of federating these Australasian colonies. As a matter of fact, there are between New Zealand and Australia no fewer than 1,200 impediments, in the shape of that number of miles of sea. The colony, it was felt, was, in view of itspresent circumstances, too remote from what would be the seat of Government to take part in it, indeed she could hardly be sure of obtaining her best men to represent her in the Central Parliament, for they could not afford to leave the country for perhaps six months at a time. He had the warmest sympathy with 1 Australia in the matter of Federation, but he could not see the way to join owing to remoteness, and to some extent dissimilarity of their administration. He thought with his colleague they would join hands in naval defence, although he hoped they would never have to depend on the navy of United Australia alone. It would not be well with them if they had not the great maritime Power ot England behind them. He could see no service that a Federal army could do for New Zealand, and they could hardly join hands there. They were anxious, however, to co-operate with Australia where they could, and in the friendliest manner possible. He differed from his colleague only on one matter, and that was free trade. Although himself a protectionist, he was most decidedly in favour of intercolonial free trade. They had developed a protective policy in New Zealand, but in no one instance had that policy been directed against their neighbours. He wished he could say the same for his friends of Victoria. He did not think the fact of New Zealand standing out would retard the Federation of Australia ; instead, he thought it would facilitate and simplify it. He was rather surprised when Mr McMillan said New South Wales would never have anything bub complete Federation. He would give him the advice once given in the House of Commons to a young Parliamentary hand, “Never use the word ‘never!’” When Mr McMillan had had more Parliamentary experience he would probably be more careful of committing himself so readily. He had no doubt as to the success of the union, and' rather envied his Australian brothers, because they could join. He believed history would repeat itself in these Southern seas, and that United Australia would become like Great Britain —a centre of liberty, civilisation, and light, throughout the length and breadth ot the Southern Hemisphere. Melbourne, February 12. The “ Argus ” in an article this morning remarks, that although the attitude of New Zealand’s representative was not altogether unexpected, yet an important development of the day*B proceedings was the stand taken by Captain -Russell. The reasons given by New Zealand for refusing to join the movement at the present stage were admitted to be weighty and could not be rashly put aside. The “ Argus” concludes in the following terms :—“ We must assume that any Federation possible at the present moment is Australian Federation, and it may be remarked that the secession of New Zealand, however much it is to be regretted, will render Federation of Australia an easier task, inasmuch as our farmers dread New Zealand competition in oats, wheat and produce. With the strong feeling of friendship existing throughout Australia towards the surrounding colonies, their union can only be delayed. Certainly, if the efforts to form a Federated continent are successful, we shall hope also to bring in the isles which are its splendid complement.”