AUSTRALIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7378, 3 February 1902, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

FEDERATION, CRICKET, AND

OTHER THINGS.

During the course of a conversation with Mr H. Halliwell (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce), who has recently returned from a trip to the Australian colonies, some interesting matter was gleaned by a Star representative.

The first subject touched upon was, naturally, Federation, and how the Australians themselves viewed it.

"I may say," remarked Mr Halliwell, " that there seems to be a decided reaction (temporary, at any rate) on the subject, and I believe that if another vote were taken now there would be a very substantial majority against Federation. I am inclined to think when matters are adjusted and the people, so to speak, settle down under the new order of things, that Federation will prove a good thing for the Australian colonies. The present reaction was to be expected ; the people are only now beginning to realise that there are difficulties to be surmounted before things can work smoothly. Such was, as you know, the experience of the United States and Canada. The chief stumbling block has been the tariff, which must eventually be adjusted to suit circumstances. It has also been found that Federation involved and will involve expense greater than was anticipated, and a natural corollary was and will be increased taxation. Even the necessaries of life did not escape." " The Kanaka labour question is the cause of much discussion," we suggested. " Yes," said Mr Halliwell, " that is a burning question. The Queensland people are sore on the subject. They assert that at the time of the Federal elections it was represented to them by the now Federal Premier and others that nothing would be done to injure the sugar industry, and that a personal visitation and thorough inquiry would be made before legislation affecting colored labor was brought forward. Those promises were not fulfilled. In the course of conversation with several Queensland gentlemen, I was assured that if the legislation proposed is carried into effect, it will practically mean the ruin of the sugar industry, as in most of the places in which it is carried on it is impossible for white men to do the work, while in the places where white labor may be utilised, high wages are demanded, and it invariably happens that the whites get so tired of the work that they leave it without notice, thus causing loss to those carrying on the industry."

The question of New Zealand federating with Australia was then discussed. " It is," said Mr Halliwell, " the opinion of those who are conversant with New Zealand affairs that this colony was very wise in declining to enter the confederation, although, on the other hand, many leading politicians incline to the opinion that we have been very foolish. They also state that there is no chance of a reciprocal treaty. My own opinion is that whether we were wise or unwise not to federate in the first place, there is no reason why we should do so now — at all events, until disputes and difficulties inseparable from the inception of the Commonwealth are settled, and we can form some idea of a way in which trade relations between New Zealand and Australia can be adjusted. The decrease in the amount of cargoes sent from this colony to Australian ports is very noticeable at present. Ido not know whether you have seen it, but the report in the Otago Witness of an interview with Mr A. Moritzon, of Dunedin, who has recently been over to Australia, is worth reading. He is of opinion that some of our exports are bound to decrease, but ' does not think they will suffer to the extent generally anticipated."

" The several States do not appear to love each other more than is absolutely necessary," our reporter remarked.

" No," was the reply, " feeling is very strong, especially as between Melbourne and Sydney. The question of the Federal site has yet to be fought out, and this will undoubtedly cause a great deal of trouble, as the people of Melbourne and Sydney are bitterly jealous of each other. You will remember that the Constitution provides that the capital shall be neither one nor other of the cities named, but shall be set up at a place at least 100 miles <rom Sydney. The new capital is to be built in tho best style, and the expense will be great."

The population of Sydney and Melbourne has increased greatly.

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but at the expense of the country. " The country has not been developed as it should have been," is Mr Halliweli's opinion. " Some of the land is very fine for pastoral purposes, and many spots are suitable for dairying. I visited Loch (in Gippsland), a district 60 miles from Melbourne, and was surprised to find that land there was selling for £20 an acre. It is suitable for dairying and sheep growing. A great deal of country in New South Wales and Victoria is well worthy of development, and it is matter for surprise thac it has not been opened up more quickly. The trouble is the tendency to gravitate to the towns."

When one starts out to talk of Australia one usually touches on the national game, and in due course our reporter ftnd Mr Halliwell were having a few minutes with cricket.

While in Sydney, Mr Halliwell 3aw a match between Victoria and New South Wales. " There was a big attendance, but I thought very little of the conduct of many of the spectators. They dealt it out very strongly to McLeod most of the time because they considered he should not be picked to play in a coming test match, and later on Noble also received a bad time for picking Duff to play :n the second test match. However, Duff's selection was amply justified by results. Cricket has undoubtedly got a thorough hold in the Australian colonies} Why, without exaggeration, in every paddook almost one may see the game being played by young and old. Australians have a great opinion of New Zealanders as footballers, but consider they ploy too roughly. People in New South Wales were greatly pleased with the English team that came out under the captaincy of the Rev. Mullineaux, and contrast the play of thac team with the play of the New Zealand teams, to the latter's disadvantage so far as rough play is concerned. While on the subject of football, I may say I think it would be as well if the football authorities of this colony gave the rough play aspect of the question serious consideration, with a view to taking strong measures to make the game less rough than it has grown during the last few years. It might even be advisable to have a second referee, whose sole duty would be to watch for and deal with rough play."

Mr Halliwell was impressed with the beauty spots of Melbourne and Sydney. "There are signs of careful planting, and everything has been done to preserve natural beauties. I am sorry to say that in New Zealand, and more especially in the North Island, this important matter has been neglected, neglect which in future years will be bitterly regretted."

On the labour question Mr Halliwell had something to say. " There has," he remarked, " been a great outcry in Australia, particularly in Sydney, in relation to recent legislation, which does not, however, go as far as that of New Zealand. Undoubtedly, so far as I could learn, there is more need for labour legislation in Australia than hi this colony. All engaged in trade and business work far harder and longer for smaller pay than do the New Zealanders, and, generally, competition is keener on the other side, and a good deal of sweating takes place. It seems to me that the working man of this colony has a far easier life and more leisure than the New South Wales workers. What New Zealand requires mo.re than anything else is capital to develop its splendid natural resources. The opinion outside this colony is that our labor legislation is somewhat dangerous and speculative, and for that reason capitalists prefer investment of their money elsewhere. However, ib is acknowledged that New Zealand might be otherwise regarded as a good field for investment."

Mr Halliwell was particularly struck with the tramway systems ia Melbourne and Sydney. In the former place, the cable system is in vogue, and works almost perfectly. In Sydney, electric trams are gradually superseding steam trams, the cable not being used to a great extent.