THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, JUNE 16, 1890.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8283, 16 June 1890, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. MONDAY, JUNE 16, 1890.

After short debate the Victorian Par liament lias appointed delegates to represent the colony at the coming Federation Convention. The Convention is in accordance with the recommendation of the Conference that assembled early in the year at Melbourne to consider resolutions submitted by Sir Henry Parkes. On that occasion the members consisted of persons belonging to the various colonial Ministries or appointed by them. They will now be appointed by. the respective Parliaments, and their report be submitted for further consideration by the people. The New Zealand delegates at Sir Henry Parkes' Conference consisted of a member of the Ministry and Sir John Hall, a former Premier and a staunch supporter of the present Government, but not holding any office. They were of one mind as to the propriety of New Zealand keeping out of the Federation until its terms were settled, and a judgment possible as to how far those terms would be suitable to a colony separated by 1200 miles of ocean from the colonics of Australia. Climatic and other considerations were also quoted. The main objection lay in the distance and separation, which would make it difficult for Federal representatives from New Zealand to keep in touch with their constituents when the Federal Parliament might be sitting. The difficulty of doing so with the Federal Executive would be still greater, and far more vexatious. Our Parliament meets on the 19th, and one of its earliest duties will be to deal with the invitation to send members to the Convention. Most probably the views expressed by the delegates at the Melbourne Conference will be approved,and New Zealand refrain from taking part in a Convention while not prepared to accept the conclusions to which it may come. The continental colonies are all, however, likely to be represented at the Convention. In Victoria public opinion in favour of Federation appears very strong. In New South Wales, opinion is more divided, tliere being a considerable party averse to the protective commercial policy which a Federal Legislature would probably adopt. Another party in New South Wales, including some of the leaders in politics, prefer continuing under the present system, until the time should be ripe for an entirely selfgoverning Union. They believe that the time must come when the interests of England, and of these distant colonies, will both demand that the latter should possess an independent Government in close and friendly connection with the mother country but responsible entirely for the conduct of its own external as well as internal affairs. Those who hold this view are prominent from their positions, but among the people at large it appears to have no hold. At all events, New South Wales has decided that she shall be represented at the Convention. The difference, so far, between her and Victoria in the appointment of delegates lies only in the fact that the Victorian Legislature elected the whole number and included in it the leader of the Opposition with a fair proportion of his supporters. The New South Wales Government, in its list, included several members of the Opposition, but excluded the leader on the plea that he was only lukewarm in support of Australian Federation. The Opposition resented this, but the difficulty has been overcome by leaving them to nominate a certain number. Their leader is thus sure to be included. The Legislatures of Queensland, South Australia, and West Australia will soon elect their representatives, and the Convention be able quickly to begin its labours. In Queensland opinion is divided, as in New South Wales, but the great majority are in favour of the Convention, and all the colonies of the Continent will bo represented. The movement has entirely put out of sight that for Imperial Federation, which has never really been more than a sentiment. Few there are who would not gladly see Imperial Federation effected, but few also are they who regard it as practicable, or in some respects even desirable. The friction sure to result would more than outweigh in mischief any possible; benefits beyond those which the colonies and the mother country already possess. The work which the Convention is to face will have many difficulties, but if the delegates are united on the main principle the difficulties will bo easily overcome. The position and powers of the Federal Parliament, the constitution of its Legislature in both branches, the arrangements for finance, and the extent and number of the provinces into which the great Continent must be divided, will be among the questions to be solved. The conditions under which distant and sparsely-peopled territories or provinces shall be governed, till fitted by growth and settlement for admission to full Federal rights, must

also be settled. The chief difficulty will be in making revenue arrangements for the Federal and Provincial Governments respectively. The Australian colonies, possessing vast and valuable tracts of naturally grassed country easily made to yield a public revenue, have been accustomed more or less to rely upon that revenue for internal works and improvements. They have contracted large loans in aid, but as these loans are almost entirely represented by railways and tangible works, the whole of the colonial debts can be readily assumed by the Federal Government. Not so the responsibility for continuing internal improvements. In the hands of the Federal Legislature that system would lead to fatal logrolling, and to the creation of a local spirit and rivalry destructive to patriotic union. On the other hand, if assigned to the provincial Legislatures, it will be difficult for them to perform the work satisfactorily without a considerable share of the Customs revenue hitherto largely devoted to these purposes. Gradually they may be able to rely on direct taxation, but this would be a novelty not to be at once introduced. These, however, are matters of detail requiring only to be faced in a proper spirit. Hopefully we look to the coming Convention as the sure beginning of a Federation that will unite the continental colonies, free them from frontier barriers and Customs duties, and form them into a united people. With a population exceeding three millions, and with already great wealth., the Australian Dominion will possess all the elements of future greatness. Gladly shall we hail its advent and cordially sympathise in its prosperity. But whether New Zealand,separated by 1200 miles of broad ocean, and with climate and physical charactersodifferentjshould join in the federation is a question not to bo settled till the full terms are decided and known. We are told by some few that it will then be too late, the opportunity lost, and the choice be no longer possible. To this we do not attach the least importance: It is really a covert attempt at coercion, and the mere existence of a threat would be ample ground for maintaining our own independence. No solid union is possible unless the interests of all are fully considered. We are convinced that this view will be held by the vast majority of our fellow-countrymen in Australia, who will gladly welcome us at our own time, if that time should come.