THE FEDERATION DEBATE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1928, 13 November 1884, Page 2

THE FEDERATION DEBATE.

Is tha House of Representative * on Saturday, the Pi eimer moved the following lebolutioii's :—: — " That this House resolves that it agiees generally with the resolutions of the said Convention ; but, in order that its views maybe specially ovpressed, it 1 evolves as follows : — That it appioves of the steps taken by the Biftish Government for the establishment of its rule over New Guinea, and hopes that like lueasuics will be taken foy a protectorate over the islands of the Pacific Ocean not under the dominion of any stable government. That this colony is willing to pay in propoi tion to its population a share of the sum of £15,000, proposed by the Impel ial Government. That it desires respectfully to protest against the transportation of ciiininals to the Fiench possessions in the Pacific. That it requests the British Government to make such icpiesentations to the European Powers as will prevent the maintenance of penal establishments in any of the Pacific Islands. That the establishment of such a Fedei.il Council as is 1 proposed in the Convention's, draft bill is prematiue. That so far as the bill aims at enabling the colonies to jointly initiate legislation on questions of common interest and impoiUnce to the several colonies, it has tho oordial support of this , House. That to place the proposed measure in accordance with these opinions it will be necessary to vaiy the bill so as to provide : first, that the Fedeial Council shall not make representations to the imperial Government direct, but to the several colonial Governments ; secoud, thevt any measure it initiates shall not have any force within any colony, nor affect any colony, until it is adopted by the Legislature of such colony." The hon. gentleman delivered an eloquent speech advocating the closer union of the colonies, and the creation of a national feeling in Australasia, Sir George Grey spoke at length, deprecating Australasian federation, but warmly approving a scheme for the unification of the whole British Empire. He favoured annexation and concluded by m wing the following amendment: — "That in the opinion of this House the confederation ot tho whole of the English-speaking nations into one great confederation is an object of the highest impoitance, the attainment of which is worthy of great efforts and large sacrifices. That the outlying poi tions of the British Empire already respectively federated to some extent with that Empire and capable of being stijl more closely united to ifci should take no steps for confederation amongst themselves which may embarrass their closer union with Great Britain, or which may hereafter render more difficult confederation of all the English speaking nations." Major Atkinson strongly supported the resolutions and urged the House to accept them, He entered fuHy in|o the question of federation, jf New Zealand held aloof from the other colonies she would have to incur enormous expense in fortifying her chief ports, and « ould lose all voice in the command of the Island trade. The European nations who were seeking a tooting in the Pacific were not actuated by a desire for the settlement of these southern lands, and their piesence would be a constant source of danger, Sir Julius Vogel argued that Colonial federation would stand in the way of the federation of the Empire. After a long discussion the amendment was lost, and the debate was adjourned till Monday. On Monday numerous ain.en.drn.ents were moved, but eventually ihe first four resolutions were carried, the last being struck out to make room for the following amendment, moved by Mr Shritr.ski : — " That this House is of opinion that further negotiations should take place between the Australian cojonieu with regard to federation, and that further consideraeion of the question be postponed uqtil next session. ; of Parliament,"

MrJ. S. Bucldand will hold his next Cambridge' Cattle Sale, on the 20th inst., hit next Cambridge, Hor?e Sale on the 22nd, and th« nut Okaupq Live Stock Sale on the 26th. ' ' l J