The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, JULY JO, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2971, 30 July 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, JULY JO, 1891.

Unual and exact to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

A CADr,KGii\>[ i'rom London purporting to give some portions of the contents of a dispatch from Lord Onalow to tho Secretary of Stato for the colonies is the first intimation that tho pooplo of this colony liavo received that one of the principal, if not paramount reason for New Zealand not joining tho Australian Federation consisted in tho fact that tins Farmers' Alliance had urged its members to hold their wheat until prices in Australia advanced sufficiently high. The cablegram is so worded as to convey the impression that tho farmers' circular was tho principal unci not a subsidiary cause. There must be some mistake) here, in all probability tho blunder is that of thoso who periodically furnish us at this sides of the world, with rumours clothed in tin* gar , ) '>£ fact, which they ruthlessly and with most unblushing disregard of their reputation for accuracy, rond to pieces within ftho twenty-four hours immediatoiy following, The question of Federation is no doubt to a large extent influenced by sentiment. It hii;i bc*;n pointed out to tho people by the enthusiastic Premier of New South. Wales that tho banding together of tho colonics would givo to Federation au importance and wefight which thoy could never

iiojiu to acquire under existing con iliiions. The suofPSH he, has attained is ntlnbiiU-d to Iks powerful appeals to natiimal sentiment, in quire mi equal degieo to tlio statements ho has put forth to convince, the people of the material advantages which would bo likely to accrue. Tho !''armers' Association by suggesting tho constitution of a "ring" in order to best their follow subjects in Australia anil obtain tho highest possible price, for their whoat may not have evidenced very liigh fraternal feelings, but to put this forward us ii main factor in keeping Now Zoaland outside tho Alliance is to our mind both absurd and inaccurate. So far as our memory serves us no mention of tho circumstance was niado by any of tho delegates to the Conference. It is an undeniablo fact that New Zealand was not forced by tho Conference into isolation, tho instruction to her delegates on the contrary were so peremptory not to commit tho colony to any form of Federation, that heir very presenco at tho table appeared to many of their fellow deputies nn impertinonce, and our representatives themselves felt keenly that they were placed in a false position. The reason New Zealand jrefers to retain her autonomy is that the opinion is paramount that the interests of Continental Australasia are not identical with her own, and there is a disinclination in consequence to fetter her action by federation with a group of colonies which, by their number, would of necessity, their interests being nearly identical, command the position of ignoring those of this colony. Intercolonial freetrade is the bait held out to her—unquestionably an event much to be desired, but it is a very moot question whether she would materially benefit if the principle were in force tomorrow; she would certainly not do so to an extent which would justify our Legislature in placing i' in the power of the continental colonies to legislate in their own interests utterly regardless of hers. It is true that this colony would be in a decree injured by ihe duties which would be levied at the federated ports. Our exports to Australia are, however, of such a nature that they can only take place whem the food necessities of the population demand them, and this is not the case so long as the continent produces sufficient for its use. Then only does the New Zealand producer reap any advantage from the trade of Australasia. This being the case, it would bo the population of the Commonwealth which would sulfur, not the New Zealand farmer. The population must be fed, and the natural market in case, of necessity is New Zealand. Our producers, therefore, would only suffer iu proportion to the decrease of consumption, consequent on the extra price caused by the, duty leyied by the importing colonies. The above we believe to be the true position of the case, and it is difficult to believe that Lord Onslow is responsible for the statement cabled from London. Admitting that the farmers of New Zealand did combine to secure high prices for their produce, it is crediting the people of Australia with very little common sense to suppose for one moment tint they would deem the fact a sufficient reason to exclude the colony from the federation they have entered into. No ; they are too keenly alive to the nineteenth century commercial principle— " Business is business."