FEDERATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2908, 5 March 1891, Page 2

FEDERATION.

,SIR JI, I'AEKKS' ADDRESiS AT

THE I}ANQUJ"f.

(JAI'IA IN , IIUSSELT.'S Sl'liECII.

(uv i;u;mii(j teij-xiiiapii.- copyuiciit.)

Sydney. Ma-ch IS. Sir H. Paukes in proposing the toast of " One people one destinyj" at tho Federation banquet last night only made a brief speech. Ho said: It seems strange that when engaged in the cause of union out acts should be questioned, our objects misinterpreted, and our motives traduced. We who see the time has come for Australia to federate simply say tha lime has come for union. Those against us must bo the promoters of disunion. We s.iy the time has come when there should be only peace, goodwill, and agreement between these colonies. That is our contention. Seeing that we hivu at til is moment four millions of people living in a laud fringed by the evetlasting sea, a land that has no coterminous neighbour, we say the time has come when the Australian people shall be one; henco we say, this one people must make common c-mse and interest; one common destiny. Duos this imply a wanton or unneeessery attempt at setting up independent (!ovurnmcnt? It means nothing of tho sort, but it t-ioq.; mean this, tlic giuat Australian people increasing day by day, year by year, increasing not only in number but in all tho power of civilisation, now desire to live as oiio punplp, anJ u> rival in a friendly way every power in the constellatiou known as the British Empire. They wish to be the brightest source of power, and the brightest jewel in tho crown of the Empire. When tho foundation of federation is laid the superstructure mmt rise. Ho did not believe a single man in the community was willing to goou for over in the present relations of Hie different colonies to each other. We seek to convey to the outside world that we have resources of material wealth, strength, intellect, and enterprise sufficing to win distinction amongst the nations of the earth. We seek a proud place undoubtedly, but it is the proud place of being equals of the best of the British nation, and at tho same time preserving Australian identity. Thu Hons, J. Mnnro (Victoria), Sir S. (iiitiith (Queensland), Hon. T. I'layford (South Australia), Hon. P. O. l'Vh (Tasmania), and Captain llnsse'l (New Zealand) responded, wishing Federation all success.

Captain llussell said there was great misapprehension in Au.-trali-.i as to the feelings of the more remote portion.* of Australasia. It wus absurd t-.i suppose there was lint a truly federal spirit throughout New Zealand. They had sivrtii u. good example of their desire for federation by rnbscribing to the cost of tho liiipcml federal .squadron. The duty of the Convention now assembled. was to fr.inio a const!tutioii that all parts of Australia sooner or later would be able to fako advantage of. It u-as absurd to .-.ty the remoter colonies would not ovoiitu.dly enter tlie union. It would be their desire to endeavour to unci them. There was a deep Ctfeiiiigs tit r,ytu|j.itliy ill Ne-.v Zeahmd towards Australia. Captain Itusspjl concluded by regretting thu absuueo of Sir (r. Grey and Sir 11. Atkinson. The former had not yet arrived, and the latter was unable to be present-. Federal Convention resuinod at half-past three this aftorir.ion, when it was decided to meet daily at half-past ten a.m. The whole afternoon was occupied discussing procedure rules, and n long discussion endued on the question of admitting the press to committee innetitigs as well as to those of the Convention. Ultimately tho matter waa adjourned till to-morrow morning. London, March 2.

Tho Standard says that until discord appears in tho Sydney Convention it prefers to bnlievo all parties are determined to substitute a single powerful dominion in place of the congeries of weak, because scattered, provinces. Kven though federation involves an unpalatable compromise, yet federation is inconceivable unless interna! custom-houses are abolished, which is easier now than in the future. March 1. The ''edural Convention resumed its sittings this morning, when Sir George Grey took hi- -eat, The adjourned debate on tho question of admitting the press was concluded, and the resolution carried practically opens the Committees to the press. Sir G. Grilliths to.ik the chair, to enable Sir 11. I'arkes to move tho following :--" In order to establish a seuuro and enduriii" foundation for the structure of Federal Government, tho principles embodied in tho resolutions following bd agreed to " 1. That the p.Avurs, privileges and territorial rights of the several existing colonies shall remain inUel, except in ruspect to such surrenders as may bj agreed upon as necessary and incidental to tho power ;iiid authority of lho national IV.doral Government. 2. That -the trade and intercourso between the Federated colonies, whether by means ot land carriage or coastal navigation shall bo absolutely free. 3. Tli? r. lho power and authority to impose Customs Duties ba exuhi'ivuly lodged in the Federal Gmi rninunt and Parliament subject to such disposal of levenuee hence derived as shall bo agreed upon. 4. That the military and naval dolm:ce of Australia be entrusted to the Federal forces under one command. Subject to these and other necessary provision this Convention approves of the training of a Federal constitution which shall establish. 1, Parliament to consist of a Senate and Kouse of Representatives, the former con-

:-:i.-liii;,' ''f in equal llUlilbcrri uf ni'Miibri.; from imoli Hriiviiice to be elected by a •y.-Uiii wliicli shall provide for Hi' , . Ki'-iruiiicnt >.l <nie-t!urd of tli'! 11,1:11:liuis every (blank) jvais, > ' In the bod v it-elf iierpuliul '■' ' -'-"iic.: C"in- . liinod willi ij.'tiuito x<; -j. .ijsi L>i!itv '■'' 'I"' I chct'ii-*, and .1 li-Aver 11-.'.isc t... W. k\< cluJ | hy tlio di-ii-icts fi>rim;<l <m :i |).i|ml:;ti'.!i I li.ims, and Iμ pi.-M: - I lie ' ;, >l'' p-'vi- , ' "i nriffiiintinir ati'l aniiMnliiicr :ili Hi!'-- ''CP I "- pii.Hiiii; .Tvcini.i.ir iinrr. .-.instiiN'ii. (-'• A in-lioi-u-y c.iu-i.'inui.f .' I-<-il.t.il S.ip.iMii.: 'Cniiit v. Inch ■li.ill c.iiisiitnli: tli-i H'o'.l (Jnmtnf A|i|kml fur An.-.'iMlia uniler tin; diri'ct, :mtli.iiity of tli.i -jvcivii,'!), uhn;-c ■1.-ti-i.M as ,I|.-|| sliull 1.1! liirii. ''■>'■ -\" r.i.-culin; c<wi-,i-lin« i.f tli<! ';..-- .'iiiui-C-:ii':r.il aii'l .-'irli p-!r>niis ii-. ln'V Ir-m linniti) time bt: iippointeil si- lii- mlvi ,".[.-, Midi imi.v.M.s Mltin- in I'.iili.iiuiiiit ami v.-lid.v. term uf i.ilicj .ilmll liopetui upon their pn.-..--i;->ln<,' lln: CMnli'iemii nf tlui I tons:; (if Kuiiii-'iiiitiitiuiJi uxprc.-'jd liy tlio sunpoi-l uf a majority." Sir 11. i'.irkud is now uddi-c»in« Um Cmivuutiuu. Lnti:r. Lll iiinviiiß his reaoliilifiii Sir Jtonry l'urkiis ciid tlic.y woi-o Milmiiwd, not with a de-:iiu tn push' to u u'ii)olu.si..M iiny spuciul intpvnst, but merely ns the gnitindwork or, U'hie.l) In Iwso Mm wlmlo qimstion. Ho «nliiiiillod tlmiii with tin', full e.\|M;i.tatioii that tliny woulii bt! tliormißliiy and nnfeainiKly ilisiiiis-ed, and ho impreesHil «l' r 'i> doli'K-itu the necessity to thu work m a truu FoiJcr.i! hi int, for they cumoL hope for any amount of valid success miluss they were prpparcrl to lose- sitfht 11 n huso extent, of local interest, nor can tluiro be true VodoiMtioii if thry should happen toinsi.it on co.vlilinn.H which would stand in thu way. Jt \v,is nrucKsai-y in tho highest do-

(jreci to appi-o-\cli tho h'unuia! ijnestion 111 tlio most J-'cdoiiil spirit possible, and the dehv (,'atos ii.iisl ilisburdi'ii their minds <.f local prejiulicus whilo pioservinK thulißhts of the colonies they reprnsentu I. HoferriiiKtothe lirs , . resolution ho said it was in tho hi»ln'st, dc?rce di'sirablc to sati.-'fy tliu minds of tho colonies that they havo no intention t-. cripple llioir powers, praiii'iiiy their rights or to diminish their iiuthoiity except so far as absolutely necownry in *icw nf the Rrcat end to be nccoiiiplf.-hcd. He sunlit V) dcline wli.il seomed absolulely necessary b> a condition anything iilco perfect ]'"ederation ns will niiilcc Australia free in trade and intercoms between its own people and the world. If this resolution is carried it must be oxplaineiJ that it will new!?.sarily talio with it tho shifting legislation tin nil liscal questioiiH from the loenl or provincial Parliaments. Our country is absolutely and in a remarkable manner distinct from all other countries in the world for invasion, separated as it is from all tin; old countries and tlie- (jrontcst now country (America) by 11 wi'lij expanse of ocean. Speakhip; as to number three cla.isc lie said luiro wo crfiiitc power of raisiuß Uovenues by Custimis duties, which will cause .itfiwit progressive clobatoas to which form tho (Ju-loms dutios will UUo lur tho welfare of tliu cmintry. Tt may bo that tho K'.'dei-al VaHiniuent will at. oncn declarn for a protective policy for Australasia, against the world, or it may be possible that the T'rtderal Parliament, composed of the best men Australia can supply, will propose some dilfcreut I'olicy. If ho f-hould Imvo a seat in tho Federal Parliumuiit, he vvould do his duty to the utmost, but if a majority wore against tho views lie was ktinwii to hold, and also sffaiust his liscal policy, ho would cheerfully submit-. There- were two [,'roat points in reference to the defence of Australia, it must bo econnmicalandefUcient for any emergency and further it must bo of a federal character aud must bo t» one end and tho forces should under fedoral ceinmand, umendablo to Federal Government. Coming now to the resolutions providing fm , t.lin llnusri of Parliament he th 'U«lit these should consist of two Houses which would contain in itself all tho con-

porvati-ui possibly in democracy. The Houss should bo formed on a thoroughly popular basis and it must be expressly provided that all money schemes shall originate in tho llouso and nut bo subject to the power of tho Senate, liegiir.liiigtho Judiciary, it would bo observed tint it wus sought to create a power from which there would be no appeal to tho Queen or I'iivy Council. If the •Jucon has authority in Khgland she would have tho same here, but he thought there should be mo appeal beyond the shores of Australia. The last clause ho said wa.s on the same basis as tho Imperial Cabinet of Knglnnd and to-day as constitutional advisers they would stand in the san.e relation as the Imperial advisers stand to the Crown. Kir Henry said ho had hoped to put the resolution moro clearly to them bub his health would not permit him to deal at Dny great length with the questions. In conclns'ion he said they had tho warning of every country which had tiied federation to guide them, Under responsible Government tho Australian colonies had made u'ondr.ifiil progress, and the only wuy to prevent deputations and hostility was for the whole people to act as one, making one Government for the whole. Tho Government too must bo Kuliiciently strong to carry tin? name and fame of Australia with' unspotted beauty and great power throughout tho world. (Sir Henry was loudly cheered as he resumed his se'it.