NEW SOUTH WALES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10662, 24 May 1895, Page 5

NEW SOUTH WALES.

THE FEDERATION QUESTION. THE NO-CONFIDENOE MOTION. to Punas Association J SYDNEY, Mat 23. Correspondence between Sir H. Parkes and Sir G. B. Dibbs has been published. The former writes:—“You and I have been drawn into the same side in a contest which will form an epoch in the political history of the country. The which has been kindling in men’s breasts during the last three or four years has burst the bonds of local jealousy and provincial darkness, and the new days of a federal Ministry are in sight. Before the change of Ministry in 1891,1 took up the belief that an Australian union would never be brought about until the old provincial parties cose to the level of the new and mighty work the nation was making. Let us be thankful that by the impact of differing minds a clearer and fuller light will bo diffused upon the path to a wider, grander and more abiding arena of patriotic service. It is right that the struggle between provincial froatrade and proviueial protection should cease, because neither can hold any place before the resistless wave of federal thought and action. It is for narrow-minded men, like Mr Eeid, to talk of that impossible thing, provincial freetrade, and prate in his brazen-faced manner at the same time -of federation, by which the provincial Customhouse must, of necessity, be swept away. Can there be any man so susceptible to delusion as to believe hini ? Our action is a coalition, involving the grouping of patriotic men of all creeds round the standard of Australian Union, to which we have nailed our colours.” Sir G. E, Dibbs writes to Sir H. Parkes s—” I desire to say that lam fully in accord with your opinion. The interests of the country would bo best served by each of us extinguishing personal antagonism which may have been allowed to influence our minds in the past. I heartily join in burying the political hatchet, so that whatever ability each may possess may be allowed to operate in unison for the country’s benefit. With regard to the future.it is sufficient that we agree that in Mr Eeid and his Government the welfare of the country is being endangered. Personally, I cannot see that anything but the greatest injury to the advancement of the country must follow his rule and mode of government, and I fall fully into line with that portion of your pronunciamento which allows the fiscal question to remain in statu quo until the general question of federation has bean accomplished. When the country has been relieved of the Eeid Government, then it will be for the joint party to decide upon a policy and apon a leader, and in this event, if the public interests require it, I would willingly stand aside for a better man. Accepting your letter in a frank, conciliatory tone, and in the spirit of friendship in which it is written.”

The Premier says of these letters that there is nothing in real comic history approaching the Parkes-Dibbs correspondence. A few years ago each of these gentlemen swore that nothing bat the grave could efface their personal hostility. This has been realised in a sense little dreamt of, because no doubt these two letters betoken a political grave for them both. To see these two venerable political strategists simulating the most artless affection is very amusing, but slightly sickening, the motive is so transparent and mean. Sir G. E. Dibba and Sir H. Partes, between whom strained relations existed for some time, shook hands this morning, and subsequently breakfasted together. ■ The censure debate dragged wearily and spiritless throughout the day, and tonight at 11.30 there was no present sign of the division. The Premier is determined to see the debate through before rising. Besides the amendment by Sir H. Parkes, Mr Sohey baa moved to refer the fiscal issue to a referendum. Mr Ewing also hns moved an amendment condemning the policy of the Government, as it would make Kanaka labour inevitable. Mr Copeland, speaking to the motion, regretted that the days of battleaxea had gone, otherwise ho could physically defend the industries protected by the tariff. Sir H. Parkes made a personal explanation, and said that he had not joined the protectionists, but was simply devoting the energies of his life to the cause of union. Ho would not assist protection, except to prevent tinkering with the tariff to the detriment of federation.