FEDERATION COMMISSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12425, 14 February 1901, Page 6

FEDERATION COMMISSION.

[Per Press Assocusiox.] DUNEDIN, Feb. 13. Before the Federation Commission to-day William Carr, an upnoYiprer, said that, from a, manufacturing point of view, Federation would not suit New Zealand at all. Workmen were spread ail over tho colony, whereas they were centralised in Melbourne and Sydney. Wages did not vary much in the furniture' making trade in Australia- and New Zealand, but in Australia more boys and apprentices were employed. Better material was used in New Zealand than was. put into the upholstery work imported from Victoria for dealers. If New Zealand, federated the great bulk of the men at present engaged in the furniture trade here would, either have to migrate, or go in for farming. Chinese labour in Australia would be a serious menace to New Zealand trade. To Mr Beauchamp: No Chinese-made furniture: came in here just now. The present tariff prevented that class of goods coming in. James Cox Thomson, a hardware and timber merchant, had, in a general way, considered the effect that Federation would have on New Zealand. He thought tire balance was in favour of Federation, inasmuch as the colony would have -a large market close to its doors. If prosperity was de pendent upon working natural products, U have a large market close at hand would be to benefit this colony. To Captain Russell: He was not aware of any tropical.country where whit© labour had proved -effective. James Williams Faulkiuer, a wire worker and galvanizer, said that Federation would not affect his trade. His market was at his door, and he competed against the world. -

Robert Chisholm, mayor of Dunedin, said his time had been so fully occupied that he heel not had time to fully consider the subject. John B. Shacklock, proprietor of a general iron foundry business, employing 110 hands, said that under the same conditions as to cost of raw material and wages he could compete with Australia so far as bis own business was concerned. He believed the market would be enlarged under inter state freetrade. Ho had been compelled to refuse orders from -Victoria because of the high tariff. He believed in Federation because it would be fo’r the good of the colony as a whole, although it might seriously affect some industries. At present wages were higher in New Zealand than in Australia, and Mr Shacklock thought that general prosperity, and nob the Arbitration Court, accounted for that. He did not think the wages question would be materially affected by Federation.

"Joseph Sparrow, general engineer, had done work for New South .Wales because there was no Customs duty cm his manufactures, but could not compete against Victoria and its tariff’. No doubt, under Federation, some industries would suffer, but others would benefit. In the iron trade the conditions of labour were not very different in New Zealand and Australia. He employed 280 bands, and the number was not increasing.

Frederick Mallard, insurance expert, who had .considered the subject, thought Federation would be detrimental to trade and commence, and he could not conceive of any gain to the colony by it. Mark Cohen, journalist, editor of the

" Star,” said that after taking considerable pains to ascertain the feeling in Australia with regard to reciprocal • tariff, he thought the people of New Zealand were living in a fool's paradise. Ho bad no hesitation in raying that Australia would not agree in any sense to a reciprocal treaty. While ho would not definitely commit himself at present, he was rather in favour of Federation. •While the door way open, his deliberate opinion was that New Zealand would bo admitted on the same terms as though the col on V was entering as an original State.

M. J. Kcckio Mackenzie sari that what Federation proposed was to- take away the right of self-government from New Zealand and hand it over’ to Australia-. Ho had read everything,,written on the subject as far as possible, and'had not encountered one solitary reason why New Zealand should Federate with Australia. That it would gave a bettcr : market for oats was a sordid and contcmptlible reason for abandoning self-government. The mass of the people of New Zealand did not know anything of tho mass of the people of Australia, and never could by reason of tho great extent cf intervening ocean, and that was tho reason why New Zealand should not - federate. The loss of right of self-govern-ment was too big a thing to bo weighed in the balance with oats, or manufactures, or anything else. The natural tendency of the Federal Government would be to seise all tho revenue it could. A PUBLIC MEETING OF FARMERS TO BE CALLED. At the committee .meeting of the-Canter-bury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held j -esterday, .the subject of Federation was brought up by Mr A. W. Bcnven.bwho said the Federation Commission would shortly bo sitting- in Christchurch, and a*-' it was. important that the farmers .should havo the opportunity of placing their views before The 'Commission- -he would suggest that tho. Association- should take steps to make ‘arrangements to enable 1 farmers who were so desirous to place their views on the subject .before' the 1 Commission. Mr M’Millan said he did nob think it possible for the Association to take the lead, but. the matter was of the utmost importance to farmers.

The President (Mr G. Jameson) said the

Association had decided not to express an ojhnion ns an Association on Federation, and he did not see how it could take any steps in the matter officially. Mr A. W. Bea.vea said the Association was the proper body to look after the interests of farmers, and to see that tiiey were afforded an opportunity of placing tb-eir views before the Commission when it sat in Christchurch.

Dr Levinge was of opinion that the farmers should be asked to call a public meeting and appoint-delegates to represent them. Mr Stavcjey was of the same opinion. The matter was not ai political one in any shape or form, and the Association- was the proper body to call a meeting. Dr Levinge then moved that the President .should be asked to call a public meetlug of 'farmers on Wednesday. Feb.- 20, at 2 'p.m., under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for the purpose of enabling tbe. farmers to express their views regarding Federation, and to -appoint delegates to represent them at the Federation Commission. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The place of meeting was left to the discretion of tho President.