THE FEDERAL CONFERENCE

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 450, 1 March 1890, Page 5

THE FEDERAL CONFERENCE

RETURN OF CAPTAIN RUSSELL,

THE NEW ZEALAND DELEGATES,

NEW ZEALAND OVERLOOKED,

Auckland, Feb. 25. Among the passengers who arrived from Sydney this morning by the steamer Manapouri was Captain Russell, Minister of Defence for New Zealand, one of the two delegates from this colony to the important Federation Conference just concluded at Melbourne. Sir John Hall was Captain Russell’s colleague at the Conference, and a pretty accurate resume of the two delegates’ speeches has already been furnished by cable in the reports of the discussion.

In conversation with a Stak reporter this afternoon Capt. Russell spoke of his general impressions of the Conference and Australian feeling with regard to the proposed federation scheme.

“It was very evident from thenatureof the speechesof the Australian delegates throughout theConference,”said Capt.Russell,“that they scarcely gave any thought to New Zealand as a political factor in a mutual federation, and in fact almost totally ignored the colony’s claim to be considered in the matter. Whenever New Zealand was mentioned they referred to the country in very gracious terms, but evidently did not place any very great consideration upon its power and influence politically speaking. They did not consider, taking it all in all, that New Zealand was likely to join a federation scheme, and practically left the place out in their reckonings. They had not considered the question of Federation from New Zealand’s standpoint, and as far as practical politics went they did not seem to recognise that New Zealand had any important say in the matter at all.

“My colleague and I were not exactly in favour of New’ Zealand playing a ‘ lone hand ’ with regard to Australasian Federation, but there are very many practical obstacles to a union for some time to come yet in the shape of finance and other details. The difficulties in the way of fixing a mutual joint tariff are very considerable, though nob insuperable, and there are many other matters of detail and practical politics to be considered. In fact, it may be said, that as yet in the colonies the question of federation is in the abstract; the people are not sufficiently educated in the matter

yet to consider it in its concrete and tangible form. “ In my opinion the Australian politicians are fairly in earnest in regard to the federation of the colonies, but I have my doubts as to whether the great bulk of the people are yet sufficiently educated to recognise all the consequences which will be entailed by the embracing of Federation—in fact, they have nob fully considered the results of such a scheme, and its many difficulties at present, in finance, in tariff changes and in other ways.” Captain Russell considers that the Conference has done much good in brinigng home to the minds of the people some idea of the changeswhich a general federation of the colonies will necessitate.

“ The Melbourne and Sydney people were extremely hospitable, and during our stay could nob treat us kindly enough. 1 had a most enjoyable trip.” While at Melbourne Captain Russell visited the fortifications, which are on an elaborate scale. He does net, however, consider that they are superior to or stronger than the New Zealand fortifications, and believes that if anything our defences are more efficient. Captain Russell goes South probably on Thursday.