PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE.
JjAST evening the usual meeting of the Progressive League was held in Robson's Kooras. The President (Mr T. White) occupied the chair. Mr Maughan re-opened the debate on Imperial Federation. He believed in it. The German Empire was a fair example of what federation could do. Previous to 1870, it considered of a number of separate principalities, but after the war ©£1870 they were all united, and now Germany was one of the most powerful etates in the world ;so much for union. We might •take a leaf out of the German book in the matter of the Zollverein, or Customs Union, which existed amongst the different States. He thought a commercial union ehould precede federation. The disjointed condition of the Empire was not such a great objection, as scientific invention and discovery were gradually bringing us into closer touch with each other. Hβ considered thab the Canadian-Pacific and the Panama Canal would greatly aid in bringing about federation. We m ufrt either federate or separate. Federation would insure peace. Mr T. West thought all the good results expected from federation would follow, if each part became an independent state. The best ties were the ties of blood, language, and common interest. He was in favour of monarchical government as it •was already in existence. Mr C. T. Renehaw said thab separation would not strengthen our position, but federation would, and should materially lessen the cost of defence, and we should gain commercially- Mr Farrington said the great English nation would never giv<* up its monarchy. In spite of socialism the lower classes in England dearly loved their Queen. Nearly all young colonials, too, spoke of England as Home. The colonies should help to support the navy. The debts of the various colonies were a hindrance to federation. Mr Pheney was airaid that federation would draw us into the quarrels of Europe, and thought we were quite as well off at present as we ehouW be under federation.
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Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 180, 31 July 1889, Page 2
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330PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 180, 31 July 1889, Page 2
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