NEW ZEALAND AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

Evening Star, Issue 11451, 19 January 1901, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

WHAT SIR JOHN' FORREST SAYS. In view of the partial similarity between the conditions in West Australia and those of New Zealand, it was considered desirable to obtain Uic views of Sir John Forrest, the Premier of the western colony, who has been appointed as Postmaster-General in the new Ministry. Sir John Fcrrest has an intercs.ir.g personality. By many people he. is regarded as West At stralia.. for ho has fur many years had a powerfully dominating influence in the conduct of its affairs. Indeed, during the discussions of the Federal convention ii was a case of Sir John first and the rest nowhere so far as the delegation was concerned, for his was the only vi ice heard, his colleagues being very much in flic nature of voting automata. He is not a man that strikes one as of mental agility, being of the heavy bluff type, but still he has strong opinions, which he, slicks to with remarkable pertinacity. This was seen in the convention sittings, when for days he practically alone fought for the recognition of the special local conditions of this colonv—and got them too.

.Seen at the Hotel Australia after his Ministerial appointment, Sir John was asked if he would express his views on the broad question of New Zealand coming into the convention. ” Well,” he replied, after a moment’s consideration, ”1 would rather not. You sec I know nothing of New Zealand and its conditions.” But I presume you would be glad to see New Zealand in the Fderation?—l would rather nob say anything about it. Not knowing anything about the colony, I feel that I should be silent. In view of the fact that your conditions are very similar to those of New Zealand—both colonies being to a great extent isolated from the rest of Australia—your views are specially desired. Sir John, and the people of New Zealand would bo. very glad to hear your advice to them?— Well, you struck the keynote when you referred to its isolated position. It’s our isolation that’s our trouble, and I would like to tee how matters shape with us before giving any advice. Yon sea that wo can bridge over our separation from the rest of the colonies by a railway, but you can’t do that with New Zealand. However. that’s purely my opinion, and 1 think it best to wait and sec how things go. A proposal has been made that New Zealand should enter into reciprocal trade relations with the Commonwealth. Do you think that desirable?—l have not considered the matter, and would rather not express an opinion. ■Sir John Forrest would say nothing further upon the subject, probably feeling the responsibilities of his position as a Federal Minister, and the interview was closed by him somewhat abruptly, to say the least.