FEDERATION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10062, 14 June 1898, Page 5

FEDERATION.

CABLE NEWS.

SIB ROBERT STOUT'S OPINION.

THE SUGGESTED CONFERENCE OF PREMIERS.

MR REID'S INTENTIONS.

United Frees Associ&tUn—By Electric Telegraph—

Copyright. Received Jane 13th, 9.30 a-tn.

Sydney, June 13,

Mr Reid states that in view of the refusal of three oolonies to participate it is now hopeless to expect that a meefing of Premiers to discuss Federation will be held.

Sir Robert Stout, in a letter to the "Herald," states that many New Zealanders are profoundly interested in Federation, and watched the fight with great anxiety. He does not question the sincerity or patriotism of the anti-Billites, but in their striving for an ideal Federation they have killed a possible commonwealth. He goes on to suggest if some kind of union far short of Federation might not soon be consummated between New Zealand and Australia. He proposes the establishment of a Federal Appellate Court, to meet once a year in New Zealand, then there could not be an opening left for a commercial treaty with New Zealand and the commonwealth that is to be. There are other ways by which New Zealand could be brought into closer touch with her brothers across the Tasman Sea, but he does not suggest them, as he wishes .to see them take one or two steps at a time. He regrets that New Zealand was not represented at the Federal conferences. He concludes by throwing out suggestions and expressing the hope that now Federation must again be discussed, New Zealand will not be deemed a foreign country. " A federated Australia must come, and who dare forbid the banns if far away New Zealand declares her readiness to become of the great Australian family ?" Melbourne, June 18. It is estimated that the Federal referendum cost Victoria £7000. The total cost of the movement to the colony so far has been £25,000. Sir George Turner considers that Mr Reid's speech has done little to elucidate the Federal problem. He still favours the Premiers' conference, and thinks it might do some good. He strongly objects, however, to Queensland being included and West Australia left out. Received June 14th, 12.40 a.m. Sydney, June 13. Mr Reid says it is now unlikely that a conference of all the Premiers will be held. Therefore he will stump the country at the elections with an express Federal policy.