The South Australian Treaty.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1373, 20 August 1895, Page 3

The South Australian Treaty.

At a recent gathering in South Australia rtir John Downer, one of the most prominent politicians of that colony, referred to the treaty with Mew Zealand as follows The proposals contained in the treaty with New Zealand, so far from bringing the colonies immediately connected more closely together, rather had the effect of dividing them still more. The very condition of the treaty was that neither of the colonies concerned was to enter into any treaty of a similar character with another colony without the consent of the other, so that the very basis of the treaty was the partial association of South Australia and /a colony not properly connected with Australia, and a greater separation from the other colonies which South Australia should be more immediately connected with. So far as the terms of the treaty were concerned—if New Zealand adopted it—it would not attack any industry they had there. There was no wine production in New Zealand, and the fact of their entering into the agreement would not interfere with any established industry there. With South Australia it did interfere —beneficially to one industry and ruinously to another. If, on the one hand, a little South Australian wine could be introduced to New Zealand on better terms than at the present time, on the other hand an irremediable injury would .be inflicted on another section of the producers. He was sure those present would not be parties to getting the small immediate benefit they would obtain over the dead bodies of any of their fellows at the, cost and ruin of producers in other districts. These were not the principles on which he proceeded, and he did not think he would be representing their views if he sanctioned that. Out of a mission which was to bring about a general union of Australia proper in trade matters, they were to have a hi-treaty with a colony not belonging to Australia proper, which would make the colonies more antagonistic in trade matters, which might farther _ postpone federation, and which would inflict an irremediable hardship on a certain section of the producers of the colony.