FEDERATION CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2007, 13 February 1890, Page 4

FEDERATION CONFERENCE.

. Melbourne, Feb. 11. Yesterday Sir Henry Parses moved the motion of which he hud given notice, in a speech lasting «n hour and a quarter. In the course of he said it seemed to him’ that what was required was h Central Government to frame laws by which the whole of the group should b« governed such Government to have an executive

body with full power to administer such laws a carefully-framed constitution. The example of America should be a warning. The States under an Act of Federation had attempted to work without

a _ proper coastitution, but had utterly failed. These States grew incapable of government, until at length it was predicted by Washington that they would fall

a victim to the fir.-it foreign enemy that made war upon them. It was not, he said, until this was shown to be the ease

that they combined to form a government under which they could live in happiness, peace, and security. The complete nature of that union could be seen in the circumstance that any free man could walk through any part of the States

Juat as if he were in a street of New York or Boston. _ It was true that that country had imposed taxes, in some cases severe taxes, upon commodiiioa of the

outside world, but between any two places within the tenitory there was not a single Customhouse from one end of the country to the other, and trade was free as ours, He was one of those who believed—so far as bis judgment went, and he had had some experience—that it would be simply playing at legislation if an attempt was made to create a Federal Go-

vernment without the power which properly belonged to such a Government, fl© was as anxious as anyone could be to preserve the rights and privileges of a great colony like New South Wales, but he felt a Foderd Government naust be a Government fully armed with plenary power in matters relating to defence, and tariff, and

all cognate eubjec's in respect to all functions of national Government. It must have power to build ships and rule its soldiers, and in 1111103' other ways exfocise powers of a supreme Government. It might bo wise that this national Govern-

ment should be accomplished by State or provincial legislators, but it should be decided from the very first that a complete Government, fitted to perform the highest functions of a nation should be formed. If an investigation couhl be made it would be found that, through their educational system, there wera more readers of higher literature in every

thousand in the colonies than in a similar section in «reat Britain. Through the foresight nod creative ski l ! of the working people they had now reached a very high state, and were not behind in all the higher civilisations of society. According to the best information the population of Australasia was now 3,842,800 son Is, of whom 2,656,000 were in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. He rememheted the severance of Queensland and Victoria, and considered it an advancement of a national thought. As showing what population had done the value of the industrial products of a single year from local industries was no less than £92,042,000. If they took the private wealth of the people, not including public wealth in railways or lands, but merely ihat, owned by free citizens they

would find (hat they would compare favorably the great European nations. For instance he would comp me them with five great nations : In Austria the amount per head was £l6 I6s ; in Germany, £ls 14s ; in France, £25 14s ; United Kingdom, £35 4 - ; in the United orates, £39, while tim A uHralian wealth nf nations averaged £4B per hood. In eality they stood at lb-/ head of the world in the distribution of weilth. It was not that rh«r© wore a few families revolting in luxury while the, mass of the people was poverty-staicken, That they had progressed rapidly was well known, and bad hardly to be referred to. Their, united army numbered 31,291 men and this army was constituted who due rd to military service as they had it distributed among the principal sections. He would try and prov© how much better the people would be with federation. Numberless sources of wealth would be developed by one powerful government which were not likely to be touched by any provincial government at present. Notably there were the fisheries of which none now knew the extent. Under one management they would be developed to an extent not likely in any other way, Then there was the lighting and survey of the coast which would be better accomplished, and means of communication would be greatly advanced under the uniform power of a central government. There were many other things to be considered, They could not hope to be fr<-e from molestation from the outside. He prayed that Australia would for ever remain at peace, but much as they might desire it they knew that when nations were at war there was only one law—that of force. Sir Henry concluded his speech of an hour and a quarter by submitting his motion in the full belief that it would meet with the approval of the majority of the people of all the colonies.

The motion was seconded by Mr D-akin. Mr S. Griffith (Queensland) spoke in favor of Federation, and Mr Playford (South Australia) followed, stating that, while his colony was in favor of Federation, the Canadian kind would not do. Ha said ha had just a suspicion of Sir Henry Parkes’ sincerity, Mr Deakin replied to Mr Playford. At to-day’s sitting of the Conference a considerable amount of time was taken up by the discussion of business in committee, and it was noon before representatives of the Press were admitted. The debate on Sir Henry Parkes’ motion was continued by Mr Clark, of Tasmania, who said that he felt sure that the people of Tasmania were quite w'lung to fall in with the Federation proposals. Sir F. Q. Lesteer, Western Australia, in hit* speech Said he saw great difficulties jo the way, both fiscal and financial. Captain Bussell, of New Zealand, said that federation was not only in the air, as some of the speakers had s»id, but he believed that it would not be long before it was accomplished. A few years would perhaps see United Australia a great power in these son-hern seas, Ha did not see any gre -t difficulty in the way. He believed, however, that the colony from which be cam > could not join in the fed era'<on, aiiho-igh they woa-d b- happy to work in concord with the Australiar

cuai-iu-jDt. Th-y co;r d oat Uv-.t f n- toe next few years, •»* any r.* *;;, Ne » Zealand woald merge its glowing manhoei

’Dto the raaturer manhood of Australia. It would be to New Zealand’s disadvantage to join a Federal Government of this kind, of which they would form an insignificant part. New Zealand had interests and responsibilities of other than an Australian character. There was the Native administration, for instance, which they could not hand over to the Federal Government, for such a Government would be composed of gent'emen who knew little ©r nothing about the mode of dealing with the Maoris. There were kindred subjects which needed very careful treatment. New Zealand would be bappy to join with Australia in any system of naval defence, but he confessed that he did not see how she was to“ be benefited by a fsderal army. There were, however, some things in whicti she might join. For instance, there was reciprocity in trade and the establishment of a uniform matrimonial law. Tor himself jie would say that ha would not participate in anything involving the colony in more protection, as he considered it to (heir advantage, as a large exporting country, to have their markets as free as possible. He had intended to move an amendment to Sir Henry Parkas’ motion, but if Sir Henry would alter (he words “Australasian colonies” to “Australian colonies” he would content himself with moving a further resolution tire effect that any crlony so desiring might subsequently be admitted to (he confederation upon suoh terms and considerations as might be agreed upon. Mr Cockburn, South Australia, advocated complete federation, The conference then adjourned until to-morrow.