The Press. THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1901. THE REPORT OF THE FEDERATION COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11008, 4 July 1901, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1901. THE REPORT OF THE FEDERATION COMMISSION.

The report of the Royal Commission on Federation has been presented to Parliament, and, es was generally anticipated, the conclusion arrived at is that it would be wholly in__c_-visal_le for New Zealand to enter the A_s_ralian Commonwealth. This decision haa not been hastily taken. The Commissioners have collected evidence not only in New Zealand but in the different States of Australia, so tha-. they ha<d before them the fuHest information both as to the prot_ble advantages and drawbacks of Fedesration. Not is it any halting opinion that they have formed. The report, besides being unanimous, is very emphatic in its language. The disadvantages which would be incurred by surrendering our legislative and financial independence are many and certain, the possible advantages are few and problematical. In regard to agricultural, commercial, and industrial interests, all expert witnesses examined in Australia agreed that even under freetrade New Zealand could not look to the States of the Commonwealth for a large permanent market for her products, but in seasons of drought a valuable market will, no doubt, always be found. The great aim of the rulers of the new Australian Commonwealth, will be to make it -self-contained and self/support - ing, and with the vast extent of land and great va_riety of climate there is no question that the Australians will be able to supply their own wants in the matter of produce of every kind, exoept in seasons of j exceptional drought. As to defence, the Commissioners point out very truly that so long as Britain retains the command of t-he sea, New Zealand is quite able to undertake her own land defence. The true policy in regard to defence, as we have often pointed out in these columns, is for both the Commonwealth and New Zealand to increase the annual subsidy paid to the Imperial Government in respect of the Australaeian squadron, upon the conditions that we get more warships stationed in these waters and those of a higher class. As to harmony of• legislation, a« the Commission*-- ©how, there is nothing to prevent the Parliament of New Zealand from bringing its laws inbbj line with those of the Commonwealth Parliament in so far as it considers it advantageous to do so. That is better than surrendering our independence, a_id having laws made for us whether we like it or not. The chief objection to our entering the Commonwealth, however, is the financial difficulty which we should have to face. The Commis_ioners estimate that we should h&ve at once to meet a deficit of £450,000 a year, which will be largely increased l if the book-keeping system proves unworkable in practice as some prominent financiers predict. The Commissioners accordingly aire of opinion that " tbe public finances of New Zealand would "be seriously prejudiced in the event of "this colony becoming a State of the "Commonwealth, and that her State Government would be 'hampered and cm"barra*sed in 'i-esipect of finance, and in the "prosecution of any policy for developing "her resources."

The co-ichisions arrived at by the Commission, and most of their arguments, are the same as those which were advanced by "The Press" when the subject of Federation first came within the region of practical politics so far as New Zealand was concerned, and we need hardly say that it is gratifying to us to find that the result of the searching investigations mads by the Commissioners has been to confirm tho views we have ventured to put forward in this matter. So far as can be learned from the j telegraphed summary of the report, the ! Commissioners do not seem to have entered into what may be "termed the sentimental aspect d the question. There are many peopfe who admit that the advantages in the way of trade are not great, and the financial difficulties may be serious, but they say, "Look what a glorious thing it will be "to become a member of the great Aus- " tralian Co____-onw_a__-_t!" We confess we [ do not see it. We shaH always be a member of the British Empire, side by side with the Australian Commonwealth, and so far as sentiment is concerned we can desire no greater distinction, while we can conceive no greater pledge of safety." It is no doubt the right thing for the continental States to federate together. The very act ol federating, however, implies the sinking of their own individuality. - The State Governors and the State Parliaments have suddenly become dwarfed into comparative insignificance. C*bo__o_c_mity of interest and the advantages of combination will no doubt in time reconcile them to the change, although we anticipate that for years to come ■t—ere w_l be many heartburnings and local jealousies hard to smooth away. New Zealand has tittle or no community of interest with the mainland, and seems intended by Nature to carve out a destiny of her own. Already she has obtained a

very distinct __dividua_ifcy which 'has-been fully recognised in connection with the war and tjfeft Royal visit. We see no reason why she should not continue to work out her own salvation, and make a name for herself in the world. - history of whith our remote de_c_-j___nts may feel justly proud.