FEDERATION COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 47, 25 February 1901, Page 8

FEDERATION COMMISSION.

'(By Telegraph—Special to."St&r.") WELLINGTON, this day. The Federation Commission sat hnm this morning. The following-wit-nesses were examined: Nicholas Reid, merchant; tfamuel lirown, president of the Industrial Association; Martin Kennedy, general merchant; J. T. McCarthy, brewer. Mr. N. lieid said federation would give an enormous Australasian trade, Bui, New Zealand's customs revenue would suffer severely. The colony would be swamped by Australian manufactures. New Zealand would have to raise two millions of.revenue, out of which £000,000 would go lo the Federal Government. He showed the- effect of federation on the siv/ar market, cereals, furniture, boots, i shoes, etc. Australia was anxious to extend its markets for surplus products. It was doubt lid whether the New Zealand timber trade would benefit by federation. He did not believe that Australia would remain n while man's country. Federation would cause increased importation of flour to the North Island. He did not t.bink federation would benefit tho. farmers. Increased taxation under the Commonwealth would seriously afCeet every industry in the colony. A million more would have to be raised. Mr. Samuel Brown thought New Zealand manufactures had more reason to fear German and American competition than from the t'olnmonwealth. The time was coming when iScu- Zealand would need Australia more than the latter wouio need New Zealand. He believed the superior .ciimate of. New Zealand fay.ouir.ed a better eiusp pi work.

Mr. '.Vhirtin Kennedy btslieyod tjxat Hew Zealand was better oti under Uie cxi:i-t i j;^ con slit ution. FetUsr;! ti on JWfHtlfl ,^ot result ; in an increasi! ,of popuiniioji ox raunufaeturcs, or laud