FEDERATION.

Evening Star, Issue 11168, 17 February 1900, Page 6

FEDERATION.

HOW IT WILL AFFECT LABOR. [Special to the Stab.] WELLINGTON, February 17. Recently the Wellington Trades Council sent circulara to die execu'hei of the trades and labor bodies of Australia inviting opinions on “ the probable effaots of Federation in rrgard to ihfe labor aspects of the question,” Replies have been received km tho South Australian and New South Wales Councils. The Sydney secretary says that Federal legislation will be successful in proportion to the ronresentatinn of the labor interest in ihe Federal Parliament. Experience only can show what elDct the abolition of intercolonial Customs duties would have upon manufacturing industries, but ho believes that the wine industry would receive a stimulus. The secretary of the Sydney District Council of the Austra lian-Labor Federation says that it is con lideutly believed in New' South Wales that Federation would not injure the workers in tlie direction of reduced wages or oon--1 ’.iv.cled spending power, because they will be able 'to place the increased burden of taxation upon those best able to pay, while at the same time maintaining the standard of wages, hours, etc. Ho conclu ies thus ; “ Judging of the future from the experience of the past, this colony, "ith its magnificent resources, having prospered in the letth of udverse legislation for years past, cannot lose cither industrially or numerically if but a modicum of statesmanship be displayed.”