THE FEDERATION COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10886, 11 February 1901, Page 3

THE FEDERATION COMMISSION.

(PP.SSS ASSOCIATION , TET-KGRAM.) DUNEDIN. February 9. The Federation Commission commenced its sittings this morning, all the Commissioners being present. Mr Alexander S. Peterson, imprrt ar.d export merchant, thought the advantage of federation would be that it would give New Zealand four million additional people to trade with upon the basis of a heme markket. Hs did not think it would, in the long run, injuriously affect tho commercial indus'ti'ies of New Zealand, as lie thought New Ztalo-ad industries would be able to euccESsiSully compete with those of Australia. It would give a clearer and fresr market for cur produce 'than other countries. Now Zeaiar.d would commercially hs just as well oil hi she had a free trad;; market with Australia as sh-3 would bs if in federation. Ha thought the nearness to Australia would glvo New Zealand a bis p.dv.in-ta-33 ever America, and did not think it had yet hem proved that it would czst more to 'produce in New Zealand than in America. He tlicuf-.ht there must be large markets in future, but, at present, if shut out of tl>3 Australian markets. N-aw Zealand of course, 'be confimd to the Heme market. One of the best ways cf eponiog up fresh nuir-ksts would< be the giving of assistance to siteam freights to those markets. Hs saw z<o rea?6n why we should be at a disadvantage with Australia in regard to manufacture of boots even at present. Federation would certainly to the levelling of wages between Australia and New Zealand, but in the long run ha did not think the effect would foe serious. He d.'d not thir.k the cost of living was dearer in New Zealand. His exports want principally to Sydney. He sa-w no reason why. in the manufacture of agricultural implements, Now Zealand, with federation and its inter-State free-trade, should not fairly well hold its own against Australia. The question was if New Zealand was able to do 'business with Victoria and South Australia in face of the tariffs now changed, what would she be aible to do with a free entry?

Mr W. A. W. Watten, president of the Trades and Labour Council, said the Council had passed a resolution to the effect that they would not support federation unless the Arbitration and Conciliation Act were enforced. His own view was that it wculd not pay New Zealand eventually to t>e federated with Australia. on<3 tendency would be to reduce the living wags, ■for which Now Zealand had been fighting for foma time. The effect of federation on the local manufactures of the colony would also be detrimental. IMaisufacturers in New Zealand could, in his opinion, successfully compete with large manufacturers of Australia. If we join the Australian Commonwealth we would ultimately be reduced to a low level, in view of the coloured labour engaged in some parts of Australia. He considered the cultivation of sugar could not be carried on by white labour. Coloured labour, he thought, would eventually becoma a political power in the Commonwealth, unless a large portion of Australia were allowed to lie waste. If we joined the Commonwealth the tariff would be lower than the tariff now ruling. Under the existing tariff there was considerable competition from America and other places, and if the tariff were further rtdu-ced. competition would 'be increased, temlinjr to reduce wages in the colony. Another effect would be that the betterequrpped factories in Victoria would be able to send their surplus supplies over here. He thought that under equal conditions Ngw Zealand could compete with the Commonwealth. He considered there was a probability that Chinese and other foreigners would also become a permanent portion of th 3 population in Australia, unless provided against, and under federation many of those foreigners would, no doubt, corns to New Zealand, and reside here. If federation cam? about equal wages for equal work might be established if the Commonwealth Government were strong enough to secure it. He drd not know if there was a Minimum Wages Act in Victoria.