FEDERATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10106, 3 August 1893, Page 5

FEDERATION.

THE COROWAI CONFERENCE. [Special to Press Association.]

SYDNEY, August 2.

The Herald thiu'ks that every Federalist will admit that New Zealand, by standing aside, instead of retarding will materially facilitate Federation. An Australian union would be a great achievement in itself, and adequate to all practical ends so far as these Colonies are concerned. The co-operation of New Zealand may affect that Colony, but does not very much concern these. There may come a time when it will be to the interest of all to make the union as widely extensive as possible, but at present it is a gain to leave out everything extraneous to the Australian union.

The Federation Conference at Corowai has passed a resolution calling on the electors not to support any Government which would not place Federation in the forefront, and calling on each Colony to pass a measure to elect representatives to a statutory convention for the purpose of considering and adopting a Bill to establish a Federal Constitution. This Bill is to be submitted by the referendum process to the verdict of each Colony, The Conference has urged Parliament to pass legislation at once, assimilating the various tariffs, and to enter into a Customs union to provide for the free interchange of local produce. The proceedings of the Conference are concluded.

[from our special correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 2, In reply to a communication from the Federal Council of Australasia, inviting this Colony to take part in the next sitting of that foody, Government has sent a reply definitely declining to take any part in the Federation movement at present.