WILL NEW ZEALAND JOIN?

Northern Advocate, 15 February 1912, Page 4

WILL NEW ZEALAND JOIN?

THE overture to New Zealafid to come in and join the Commonwealth which has been decided upon by the Inter-State Labor Conference, makes Mr Fisher ieel pleased (says the Sydney "Sun"). Certainly Maoriland has a good deal to teach Australia in the matter of of decentralisation and immigration. Starting late in the race, and handicapped by distance and native troubles, and with only a very restricted area to settle, the Dominion has to-day a population greater proportionally than that of the Commonwealth. That population, too, is much better distributed; and in spite of earthquakes, volcanic outbursts, prohibition, and Rugby football, there can be no doubt that the one million people who now possess the shaky islands are in effective occupation of them. On the other hand, the New Zealand national debt is a wild and unholy thing, and has been piled up fast and furiously during the last few years, and the present political deadlock is of such a nature that it will be pretty difficult to find or forge any sort of key that will turn in die rusty and defunct old contraption From the defence point of view, the closer Australia and New Zealand can get together the better. An invasion of either country must be to the eternal loss of ihe other; and if both could combine to cieate an effective fleet it should be a great gain. The Tasman Sea is somewhat wide and deep, but with wireless lii.ks and all the possibilities of improved transit facilities, the chances ate that before 20 years are over there will be an all-night ferry service running between Circular Quay and Wellington Wharf. Mr Fisher is out for conquest, and his victorious banner may yet wave from the naming crest of Ruapehu.