WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23, 1896. RECIPROCITY.

Hastings Standard, Issue 204, 23 December 1896, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23, 1896. RECIPROCITY.

There was a disposition on the part of some newspaper writers to discount the proposal made by the Premier to hold a conference of Premiers in New Zealand. The chief Offender was the Sydney Daily Telegraph which pelted the proposal with ridicule, but now that the Premiers of the various colonies have endorsed the desirability of such a conference being held, the Sydney paper alters its tune and stipulates for Hobart as the proper place to hold the conference. It matters not where the conference is held so long as it is held, and the more frequent such meetings are held the better it will bo for Australasia. Unfortunately there is a go-as-you-please sentiment peravding the colonies, and yet there are many matters upon which joint action is preferable. There is much legislation that should be assimilated ; to begin with, it is desirable that the statistical departments of the various colonies should be run to one model. Returns would then be valuable and comparisons easily made, and the backward and forward movements noted. As things are now each colony has a different method of presenting its statistics, and different times of presenting them which makes the labors of those who wish to compare figures, harassing and unprofitable. Then we might instance the laws regulating joint-stock companies which vary in all the colonies. A uniform system throughout Anstralasia would unquestionably be advantageous to the commercial community. The

Health Laws in all the colonies should be of one kind, the quarantine regulations should be similar, the shipping regulations should not vary with each colony. These are some few matters which could be advantageously discussed at a conference of Premiers' and no doubt at the proposed conference such subjects will receive attention.

But the word reciprocity has become associated with the Custom house, and it's mere mention in connection with the proposed conference leads to the supposition that the main subject to be considered is the destruction of the customs barriers which each colony has raised against its neighbors. If the Conference is to be held solely to talk reciprocity we do not anticipate any good results. Jealousy, greed, suspicion and selfishness are greater barriers to surmount than the customs barricade, and no amount of palaver will eradicate them. They will effectually prevent any sensible .system of reciprocity, neither side will work upon the lines of " give and take " but all will overreach themselves by seeking to secure special advantages. Reciprocity limited to a few commodities will never be a success, but absolute intercolonial freetrade is possible, and if once obtained, its appreciation by the people would effectually prevent a relapse into the unneighborly and vindictive system which now prevails. We do not look for any reciprocity gains from the conference of Premiers, but we hope and feel confident that in other directions good will be the result. The export produce trade in its vario is branches whicli is now receiving special attentions from the various Governments, could very well form an important subject for discussion at the conference. Concerted action on the part of the colonies would be highly beneficial and we can safely trust thePremiersto decide upon a united course of action. Unanimity in this matter would mean a saving of expense, and the state interference would 110 doubt be welcomed by the producers so long as it was not of a grand-motherly character. The indirect help that the Governments can render the export produce trade is a fit subject for discussion by the leading statesmen of the colonies. However, Mr Seddon's move for a conference of Premiers is likely to become an accomplished fact, and he deserves credit for suggesting the conference. There can be no harm done, and we feel certain that a vast amount of useful work will be the

result.