Mr Dibbs on Federation.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 114, 15 May 1890, Page 2

Mr Dibbs on Federation.

Sybnby, May 15, The Federation debate was resumed in the Legislative Assembly last night, Mr Dibbs said if they were to depart from their present constitution, let it be under a flag of their own, as the United States of Au3iralia He asserted that it had been dearly shown that this federation movement was only started to cover the retreat of the Ministry on their fiscal policy. He eoouted the idea of Federation on the lines of the Dominion of Canada, The latter waa oojapelled to feder-

ate under the crown beosuae of the position of her boundary with raqard to the United States, nnd the neoessi.'.y of allying he self wUh a maritime Power like England in order to procute the protection of outside influence. The Premier's federation scheme would produce a chaos like that which succeeded the American revolution before the Constitution of the States was fixf d on its present basis. An attempt to scare Australia by a letter like that of General Edwards, the object of which was to intimidate the colonies - with the fear of the power of China was unworthy of a British officer. If the time cime, Australia would be prepared to defend her self against China, meanwhile they had better lit woll alone, and remain dependent on England, but a free and independent people as well.