The Press. FRIDAY. MARCH 6, 1891.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7804, 6 March 1891, Page 4

The Press. FRIDAY. MARCH 6, 1891.

Thb procedings of the Federal Convention now sitting in Sydney cannot fail to be of deep interest to the people of New Zealaud. It may be true that we have uo intention, at present at any rate, of becoming part of the new Dominion. There are many reasons indeed why New Zealand should for the time being keep herself apart from the movement. We are situated ac too great a distance from the centre of Australian population to ru&ke ie at all possible for au Australian Dominion Government to adequately represent the views and wishes of this community. Our representatives would be out of eight and out of hearing of the people, and would speedily cease to be in any sense under the control of their constituencies. The larger colonies, in constant and easy communication with the seat of the Federal Government, would be supreme, for it would be impossible to devise any scheme of representation acceptable to Victoria and New South Wales which would give to the remoter colonies anything like a proper voice in the decisions of the Legislature. The question which has ostensibly led to the Federation movement is that of defence. It is agreed that, if for no other reason, it is essential that the Australian, colonies should combine in order to organise the military defences. In such au organisation, New Zealand can have no part, separated, as she is by 1200 miles of sea from the Australian continent. As regards naval defence, New Zealand has already shown what she is prepared to do. We have agreed to co-operate with the other colonies in this respect, and have voted our share of the cost of the Australian fleet. There is auother reason also which bas, we feel sure, influenced not a few in their determination that New Zealand should for the present keep herself entirely free. It is feared that in Australia there is a growing feeling on the part of a section of the people that federation is the first step in the direction of independence. No such sentiment we feel sure actuates those who are taking a prominent part 'in the movement. Sir H. Parkes in his speeches has given utterance to the warmest feelings of loyalty and affection for the Mother Country. But there is no use disguising the fact that in Australia there is a partysome say a large party — who aim at the establishment of an independent Australian Dominion. That party has its exponents in the Press and on the platform, aud time can only tell what its strength is. The creation of a Dominion Government will speedily disclose the strength of such a party. If it should succeed in controlling the course of legislation in the Federal Parliament, and were New Zealand a part of the Dominion, she would find herself dragged into a position repugnant to the sentiments of practically the whole population. Sir John Hall called attention to this matter when addressing the Conference in Melbourne last year. After referring to the supposed existence of such a party in Australia, he went on to say, " Speaking for my fellowsettlers in New Zealand, I can say that they are thoroughly loyal to the old land. We try to educate our children in a knowledge of the history of our great Mother Country. We try to teach them that that great history —with its glorious associations—are part of a precious heritage; that they do not belong to a people insignificant and little known in the records of Empire, but to a nation which has accomplished great things in arms, and still more iv the nobler arts of peace, in self-government, and the enjoyment of individual liberty. We teach them that they belong to a nation which is first in these respects in the history of the world. We are attached by the fondest of ties of affection to the Old Country, but we are also attached by something more permanent and durable, that is, by a conviction that our connection with the Old Country will best serve our material interests, and be the best safeguard of our liberties." We hope and believe that ! the movement iv Australia in favor of ■ independence is mneh less imnortant than it appears to be. The influential journals whioh have boldly expressed it may be mistaken in their estimate, and Sir H. Parkks may after all have more correctly gauged public opinion on the question. But for the reasons which we have mentioned, and others which might easily be stated, New Zealand has, we think, wisely resolved to aoetaio, for the present, from joining in the Federation ( movement. It would be rash on our , part to hazard auy opinion as to what ( her policy should be at some future , period. Our belief, however, . is tbat she must aim at working | out her own destiny iv her own way. Her peculiar position as a small country in tfeo midst of the ocean, and i settled in a special manner, points to - the conclusion that New Zealand has , a different destiny tb that of the Australian colonies. We hope that the two countries will ever continue to ] work together in friendly co-operation. ' Australia should always be a market for a considerable portion of our pro- * auctions. It is in the interests of the * people of the island continent that they should put no harassing restrictions oh * the produce of our harvest fields, < and it will suit us that we should ] find a market for some of their'i

•products at our own' door. But the Australian market is not indispensable to us. Our trade exports show in what direction our best interests lie. Desirable,' however, aa intercolonial freetrade would be to New Zealand, it would be too greab a sacrifice to purchase it with the loss of our political freedom.

Wβ agree, nevertheless, with Captain Russell ia the opiniou that the Convention ahould aim at drawing up a constitution sufficiently elastic to allow of remoter colonies joining the Federation at a future date ehould they see any advantage to be gained by doing co. From this point of view the proceedings of the Convention must necessarily be of considerable interest even to us in New Zealand, and, recognising this fact, the Press Association has gone to the expeuse of cabling the proceedings at considerable length. Even from a purely theoretical point of view, it must be of interest to learn in what manner the delegates hope to overcome the numerous difficult problems which await solution. It will be no easy matter to call into existence a Dominion Government sufficiently powerful to discharge its functions and yet to safeguard the rights of the different colonies. The constitution of the two Houses, their respective powers and privileges, the question of responsible government, the adjustment of the public debt, the relations of the Dominion Government with the Crown, and a host of other questions, are all bristling with difficulties, aad already considerable diversity of opinion appears to exist with respect to some of them. But if fcne delegates can be regarded as really representing the views and wishes of the people of Australia, there is evidently a stroug disposition to approach these problems with a determination to solve them. We hope sincerely that they will entiuely succeed.