FEDERATION PROPOSALS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1984, 19 December 1889, Page 1

FEDERATION PROPOSALS.

The following is a full report of the interview which a Hobart journalist had with Sir H. Atkinson: —Sir Harry Atkinson said he did not think New Zealand waa likely to join the Federa] Council at present, He considers her interests would be sacrificed, and he has not altered his views since he attended the last conference, but the question was not so ripe as he then supposed. He has no doubt that New Zealand will have to join in the course of time, but she would not damage her own interests by aloof for a time. Personally he would like to see her join, but the thing could not be hurried. New Zealand had gone through it all in regard to her pro; vinces, and smaller divisions must eventually give way. Any measures for the general convenience would be readily adopted by the New Zealand Legislature—such as the Intercolonial Judgment Act. 'lhe people, he said, do not care about Federation, and when they do she will join. He feels certain that New Zealand will join the proposed conference at Hobart, being anxious to hear what may be said, and would no doubt send more than one representative. For his part, he looked on Sir Harry Parkes’ proposals as the best yet made, as they wanted a discussion of these things. He did not think General Edwards’s defence proposals suitable, as the British troops would be required in the event of an Imperial war, and colonial troops would not act with them, as witness the East India Company’s troops and the Imperial forces. He would have an army on the same lines as the navy under our control. It was the place of the Imperial Government to lead in such matters, and it did not recognise that i| Australia takes the initiative it will be one that the British Government will not like, The people of New Zealand do not take much notice of Sir Henry Parkes’ change of front, and the majority favor remaining as at present. He thinks there will not be much difficulty about Customs Federation, and, with regard to the fiscal feature of the question, believes that the majority of the New Zealanders favor, and undoubtedly will be benefited by, it. The confirmed Protectionists would oppose it. He does not think the time has arrived for supreme legislation on Imperial Federation, and the first move in the direction of Federation should be Home Rule in Ireland, after which, in his opinion, Imperial Federation would not long be delayed.