FEDERATION COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 38, 22 February 1901, Page 2

FEDERATION COMMISSION.

[per PRESS ASSOBIATIOS.J GmiiSTcnuKCn, Februtry 20. Jo'-tn Meyers, farmer, did not think Federation would pay. He did not not think small farmers generally would! suffer by cot joing Federation. J. A. McCullocb, tinsmith, representing the Trades and Labour Council, read a resolution passed by that body te the fffoct that Federation was not desirable in tha interests of the workers.

J as, Young, bootmaker, coincided with the last witness.

Walter Newton, upholsterer, thought the loss of the whole Australian trade would not affect the colony much. His trade was strongly opposed to Federation, as Sydney could produce furniture made by Chinese who worked 70 hours a week for 255. Under Federation tbiß colony would be at the mercy of tho Chinese ; at present a good deal of this furniture came here, and under Freetrade the results would be simply disastroos.

John Lee Ssott, engineer,considered Federation would ultimately be for the good of this colony. In his opinion, Now Zealand was destined to become a great manufacturing country. It had coal, minerals, and water power in abundance, while its labourers were superior to those of Australia. Superior productive power per man would more than bahnce the difference in wages. It must benefit the colony to have such a large market as Australia. It would ba selfish to refuse to join, aad the c.dony should try to leaven the whole Commonwealth with better labour conditions. Australia was already following N«w gland's lead, and this colony would rot be dragged back. C'hristchurcu, February 21.

Mr. Whitcomb-, of Whitcombe A Tombs, stationers, opposed Federation, and Mr. Frostick, President of the l Federated B?ot Manufacturers, stated that Federation meant annihilation of the boot industry cf New Zealand. Lateb. At the Federation Oommiasioja, H. Overton, farmer, and A. Lees, grain meiohant, gave evidence in favour of Federation.