INTERCOLONIAL RECIPROCITY

Hastings Standard, Issue 199, 17 December 1896, Page 3

INTERCOLONIAL RECIPROCITY

CABLES.

A NI:\YSPA 11: i: REF.U-T. IP< /• P.''.- .v% .!:■■■ i j'.j Svi>m:v, 'I his day. Referring to Mr Seddon's proposed conference, the Telegraph says as New Zealand is not even now a participant in the Federal movement, and, in fact, avowedly means to keep aloof from it, there is no earthly reason why the Premier on this side of the Tasman Sea should make a long trip across to irv and arrange a scheme of business relations which New Zealand's Premier desires to have established, and which in a very remote event of anything at all of the kind being done would probably have to he declared off if federation came si bout ; because, whatever the fiscal policy of Australia might be, it is unlikely indeed that it would provide for special tariff concessions with an unfederatod colony, ami in any case, the subject would have to be gone into again '■>' t ,or„. What (hero is to be gained by a conference, that New Zealand would benefit mostly as a matter of fact, is verv little. " Experience shows that under the most favorable conditions reciprocal colonial tra.de relations would be diflicult to establish, because so many ho-tiie interests arc represented in the Parliaments which would have to enuor-e the scheme, and because they are dillicuil to sustain when established; but if Mr Seddon has anything to say or propose, ami if no Ciinference wili suit him that is not held practically within hi - own lines, he can write. There is no harm in discussing the idea ; on the contrary, good may re -ult in the form of educating the people of New Zealand on the subject of federation.