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Wales would be only too proud to do it. Mr. Ward could tell you of the progress and resources of New Zealand. Believe me when I say every man in Australasia is proud of her success ; who can be more proud than we are, the Mother Colony ? She is now marching on close to the heels of the leading colonies in population and wealth ; she has natural advantages none of us know anything a-bout; she is represented by some of the greatest men in Australasia ; and one of the foremost of living men in Australasia is now coming from New Zealand to represent her—Sir George Grey. With all her wealth and spirit, with her grand destiny and people, with a population closely approaching to us, New Zealand, I say, without any increase of telegraphic traffic, could easily pay £10,000 annually. We are asked here to assemble to bring about a closer and stronger feeling of harmony and unity. I have to lament, and I do, that England failed to do her duty. Although England has, under an illiberal policy, refused to do her duty, Australia, under the enlightened influence of the spirit of democracy, should not refuse to do hers ; and I hope New Zealand, with all her splendid advantages, with all her great aspirations, and Queensland, with her potentiality for greatness, with her extent of territory and her wealth of minerals, her pastoral and agricultural resources, will not refuse to come in, and that we will in this assembly unite before w.e part in joining together in establishing a union between Australasia and the world. And what chances, may I ask, will there be for all the colonies of Australasia to join together in a Federal Government, with geographical differences that must exist—what comparison is there between any colony and another? Any person who likes can raise objection; and if small objections are raised, how can we ever join in federation ? We have to give and take. We belong to one household, and should assist one another. Not one of you will give more than New South Wales, or be more ready to bring all the colonies of Australasia into one happy fold, in order that we may in a better and more forcible manner represent our true position to the world. Why should it not be so ? There is no means given to the representatives of any colony, not even by their Agents-General, that can approach the power we can bring to bear by a proper representation of our resources by telegraph communication with the world. We find millions of'pounds every day passing out of England and Europe into the most insignificant little dominions. What do they know in Europe about our vast resources ? If there is anything appalling to a man who understands the wealth and resources of Australasia, it is to read from time to time the utterances of men supposed to be in authority at Home, to see the deplorable ignorance about our resources and position. If there is any way of removing that dark shadow of ignorance, and showing England our vast wealth and capabilities, it will be by affording facilities to the people to communicate more readily. Here is the opportunity —an evidence to test your faith. You speak theoretically—you would like to see this and that—to see the foundations laid of a great empire; here is the initial stage for you : come in and join in its sweet apostleship. I hope my friends from Queensland and New Zealand will yet see their way to recede from the position they have taken up. You talk about a second cable ; where is it ? It is a myth ; they have not yet taken the soundings of the Pacific Ocean. You have hundreds of men in New Zealand and Queensland who can well afford to plank down the sum New Zealand is asked to contribute. And let them lay the cable to Queensland, let them bring the Pacific cable right in through the islands of the Pacific Ocean, touch New Zealand and Northern Queensland, and come right up here. I will undertake to say that every colony in Australia will aid in the second one, andin keeping it maintained. When the great enterprise of the Pacific mail-service was first instituted—that mail-service that brought New Zealand into living contact with all Australia and the Home countries—New South Wales paid at the very outset two-thirds of the whole expense, afterwards a half, and never less than one-third, and the whole of the colonies of Australasia and Queensland benefited by it. My honourable friend, Mr. Ward, must know that that was particularly in the interests of New Zealand; but we must not talk about "particularly in the interests "of any one. A man's nose is a portion of his body, as well as his heart, as well as his ears ; we are here as an individual with one pulse, one great personality, and that personality should be United Australia. There is an opportunity. I appeal most confidently to the spirit of brotherly feeling, of national greatness, to the undying love of having our race in harmony in all parts of the habitable globe, that on this occasion we shall lay the foundation-stone, or write the preface oHhe great work to be carried out in the larger way in another place. I hope my honourable friends, Messrs. Dnmack and Ward, will yet see their way to join us in that noble struggle. The Hon. J. Gavan Duffy hoped that the delegates of Queensland and New Zealand would carefully consider the remarks that had fallen from the President of the Conference. In view of the desire that all felt that there should be unity, he regretted the attitude they had taken. The whole community of Australasia, except themselves, had taken up the proposal, and he trusted that some way would_ yet be found to avoid their being left outside, entirely dissentient. Perhaps in a private consultation they might be able to come somewhat closer together in their views; there might be some modification of the original proposition; one side might give way a little, or both might do so. It was the original idea that those colonies should not only join in the guarantee but in the subsidies. They were, however, now asked nothing towards the subsidies; 'the other colonies had borne them in the past, and would do so still if the dissentient colonies would give them their moral assistance, for he felt sure that that was all, or nearly all, that would be required. He suggested the adjournment of the debate to allow further consideration, and hoped they would be able to come together. Sir John Bray agreed that the matter should stand over for a day or two and other business be proceeded with. Probably some arrangement might be entered into with those colonies. The Hon. B. S. Bird moved the adjournment of the debate, as he thought it desirable to see if any other proposal could be made by which they might secure the co-operation of New Zealand and Queensland. The motion was agreed to. The President then called upon Mr. J. G, Duffy to move, according to notice; "That this
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