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FEDERATION.

i- ♦- THE OPENING BANQUET. (Pr ELECTRIC TKLKGKAPH.— COPYRIGHT.) ; Melbourne, February 7. At the Federal Banquet 200 guests, including Lord Hopetoun and all the leading citizens of the colony were present. The Premier in proposing the health of tho Governor, said they had met to consider if the time wan ripu for tho colonies to "unite in great Federation. If they could come to that decision now, Federation would have made fast advances in the interests of tho whole of Australia as well as the Old Country, for if ■the occasion arose they would be only too glad to render assistance to the Empire as United Australia. Lord Hopetoun retrained from entering into the details of the Federation scheme, but emphasixed.his belief that Federation would strengthen the bonds of union and render more loyal tho attachment-to the Mother Country. Mr Service admitted that the Federal Council was a comparative failure. Although he did not quarrel with New South SVales for its abstention from the Council, he attributed its non-success entirely to this action of the Mother colony. He predicted that any Federation soheme would again fail if any important colony refrained from co-operating, and he declared they must have no border custom houses, and indicated that in his opinion any scheme of Federation which perpetuates the present system of provincial protection would bsa down right absurdity. He ridiculed any suggestion calling into existence a federal parliament which should be told it must withhold its hands from interfering with the Customs. Sir Henry Parkes said that as •separated communities, the colonies of Australia had fought their own wars, they had rivalries at times which no doubt degenerated into antagonism that was natural enough, but on the whole, ho believed thoughtful men of Victoria never lost sight of the good qualities of men in New South Wales, or that the people of the other colonies ever loit interest in the. legitimate enterprise and line emulation of the people of Victoria. Sir Henry Parkes went on to say : " Is there a man living in any part of Australia, who will say, that it will be to tho advantage of the whole of the colonies to remain separated by potty animosities with border custom houses, and with all the fneds which border custom's generate, until the end of the time. I don't believe there isasino man in tho whole population of Australasia who would *ay such an absurd thing. If that was admitted, the question was reduced to its very limit-', and it follows that some time or other we must unite as one great Australasian people. Let those who are opposed to union point out any advantage to be gained by the delay. I say that our interests must not be prompted by any rash thoughtlessness and create separation from the grand old country of which we are all so proud. (Cheers). Free communities must have a gniding head, and I would like to ask any thoughtful student of history what supreme head they could have more attractive, more in consonance with the true principles of liberty, than a sovereign under whose benittceut reign more improvements have been carried out for the amelioration of tho'human race than in the reign of any other sovereign on the face of the ea'th. There is no reign of any emperor, king, or potentate of any caste of character which includes such tremendous advantages and improvement to tho whole world, for the spread of Christian civilisation, and for increasing happine.-H to the masses of the human race to such an extent as the reign of Q leen Victoria. When people make up their minds to be united, nothing is strong enonph on earth to Keep thorn asunder. With United Australia we will be able to command the respect of the world as a united nation; every colony would be better, for by this union no injury could result to any fair claim or honest interest, and he favoured loains no time in bringing about this united Australasia. All examples of history are in our favour, and the only difficulties that can arise will come from our unfortunate separation, which we all deplore, but these are difficulties which can be K"t rid nf, and suppose our di fficulties were ten times as great, they should not deter us, when the object is so worthy of achievement. (Applause). Bur seeing no difficulties at all, in things which are looked steadily in the face, why should we delay bringing about tho union, which thoughtful men, not only here, but in other parts of the world interested in the progress of the British race, believe would redound to our credit and advantage." He said while he was in power he would never cea.se to work for the desired end.

Upon Sir Herivy Fiirkes rising , to speak the whole ciiiipany stood up, and cheered him for several minutes, and similar demonstrations were accorded him during the course of his speech, and when he s.it down three cheers were loudly called fur, and iTiost enthusiastically given.

Too proceedings closed with a- vote of thanks to the chairman.

The Federation Conference has reserved the right of excluding the pros-", when in committee. The following u the full toxt of Sir 11. Parkes' notice of motion :— " That in the opinion of this conference the best interests and present and future prosperity of the Australian colonies will ba promoted by their early union under the the UroWH, and while fully recognising the valuable services of the members of the convention held in ISS3 in founding a Federal Council, this conference declares its opinion that the seven years which have, since elapsed have developed the national life of the Australians in population, in wealth, in discovery of resources, and in self-governing' capacity to an extent which justifies the higher act at all times contemplated of the union of chfi.se colonics in one Legislative and Executive Government, based upon principles just to the several colonies,"

Mr Deakin's notice of motion is, " That the members of this Conference shall take such steps as am nseafs-iry to induce the Legislatures of the respective colonies to appoint delegates to a national convention, to consist of a certain number of member* for each of the se'f-governinsr colonies and a certain number from tlm Crown colonies, that as it is apparent that some time must elapse before Federal constitution is obtained, and that it is desirable that united action should be taken to provide military defence and other urgent matters, it is ad visable that the Federal Council should be employed for such a pnrposß."

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18900208.2.13

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,102

FEDERATION. Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 2

FEDERATION. Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 2

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