The Evening star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4729, 4 March 1884, Page 2

The Evening star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1884.

W;e have previously adverted to the subject of Colonial Federation, which is exciting not only the attention of colonists, but threatens to prove a very knotty point in its settlement by J,he "Home Government. The interests of New Zealand, we may very naturally presume, would be the first standpoint to take, in considering such a movement; and the mere contemplation of the limited power in Council which would be granted our colony should cause extreme caution to be exercised before steps be taken which Lit might be a matter of impossibility to retrace. In a former issue we pointed out how advantageous would be a federation with a view, to have colonial requirements 'attended to, to prevent the prayers of colonists being ignored, and with a view to securing a little more vigilance in England where colonial interests are concerned. Federation in the broadest sense of the term is quite a different matter—it is a question requiring greater consideration than was given'to it at the recent Sydney Convention, and involves much more important issues than were then placed before those who met with perhaps developed views on southern annexation, bat without matured plans, or really definite proposals to make regarding annexation. A perusal of the varied interests of the half-a-dozen colonies most concerned will at once help to point out the difficulties which will beset the path of any convention likely to attempt the formulation of a scheme fdr a general union between the Australasian colonies.^ New Zealand's interests are hardly of a nature which could be made identical with other colonies. This country i 9 peculiarly situated, possessing advantages—from her geographical position—of an important nature; and having I natural wealth second to none of tbe i other colonies. From an agricultural) pastoral, mineral, or manufacturing point of ■view, the soundness of the colony's pros'pectg, its position, and general wealth would warrant more representation in a [ Federal Council thaa ffoold probably be

granted to it. A general glance at the positions of the other southern colonies will not be uninteresting. >s'New South Wales is peculiarly situated in the matter of government. She has gloried and revelled in pursuing a Free Trade policy, until she now finds it necessary to alter it and see how Customs duties will help her. The colony has'always been noted for its. conservatism, and has ever evinced a disinclination to take a second place in connection with any general movement on the part of the colonies; beyond the commercial reciprocity which is now being maintained between us, little sympathy would be likely to exist in union matters. Victoria i 3 almost the direct antithesis of its neighbour, with an almost radical political nature; a strongly protectionist people; advanced social, political, and commercial ideas; it would seem somewhat difficult to assimilate thoughts or objects for a general colonial good between tho two last men* tioiied possessions, and where each is so strong in case of a struggle for supremacy, the weaker outsiders would probably be neglected. Although more synthetical in character, as the ideas and methods of the Victorian and New Zealand people are, yet anomalies exist which would render thorough sympathy between them somewhat improbable. Queensland is almost isolated. Her Southern Pacific connections are by no means in common with the interests of the other colonies, and where her labor traffic would perhaps be the chief instrument placed in her hands by federative protection, it must be seen that no general benefit would be derived by assisting her in it. South Australia sees no benefit in the proposals made, and has almost held aloof from participating in the proceedings of the late conference. Tnsmnnia does not appear to be very much interested in the subject, and only as a key or connecting link with a view to the amalgamation of Australian and c New Zealand interests, with, of course, a corresponding advantage to herself, could she be expected to take an active part in any federation movement. Western Australian development is a matter of the future, and the isolated situation of that colony almost precludes tfie possibility of its taking any interest,in Federation. Therefore it would appear advisable that New Zealand should not, through the precipitancy of her statesmen, fall in too readily with any movement of. the nature we refer to. There is little advantage to be gained by us unless in the direction pointed out in the commencement of this article, and it appears to us that it would be wise to await further developments before committing ourselves to any serious action. , '