PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8355, 8 September 1890, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

3r- [** TBMQRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION,] 1* ______ to- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 11 m x Saturday. all The House met at half-past two. THE federation RESOLUTIONS. 06 *> Captain Russell in moving the Federal Resolutions said that although„this colony ay was not pledged to any particular course he thought it would be unwise if New Zeaxt land refused to take any part in the convention shortly to bo held in Australia, as ie some day wo might find it to our advantage to join the Federation Scheme. He could ig advance many reasons why this colony should federate with the great continent sd of Australia, but it should not bo on the fixed basis of Canada, but rather more on 2t the elastic linos of the American commonwealth. It would not, however, be to the Df advantage of the colony to enter into any alliance which would compel them to put r- prohibitive duties on goods imported from Europe. Imperial Federation, ho n contended, was more valuable to this )- colony than any other federation. Sir George Grey and Mr. Ballance had been a asked to go to the convention as deo legates from the Opposition side of the House, but Mr. Ballunce had refused to 11 act. He (Captain Russell) believed, howr ever, that Sir George Grey might still be persuaded to attend. He concluded by - moving the first resolution " That this r House concurs in tho resolution adopted by the Australasian Federation Conference on loth February last." Mr. Balance inferred to Captain Russell's speech at the Conference, in which he had practically advocated Federation with Australia, yet now ho had expressed himself against such a union, although he did not blame the Colonial Secretary for changing his mind on that point. He dwelt at some length on the question of freetradeand protection in connection with this movement, holding to the view that the colony would be in a bettor position to arrange its own commercial treaties if it were free to do so instead of being bound by a Union of this kind. Touching on the defence aspect, he asked what this colony would gain by Australian Federation ? Would Australia send her fleets to protect the colony ? He did not believe for a moment she would do any such thing. He contended that New Zealand was not prepared for Federation, and that being so why should they send delegates to the Convention ? He did not believe any person holding such extreme opinions against Federation as himself should be one of the delegates, and that was the reason he had informed Captain Russell that he could not act. Ho agreed with Mr. Saunders' amendment to defer the appointment of delegates for the consideration of the new Parliament. Mr. Ward expressed the opinion that if this colony had a part in the Australian Federation ik? commercial business would largely increase, and he felt New Zealand should have everything to gain by beinounited to the other colonies. ° Mr. Bryck regarded Federation as a beautiful dream. He took much the same view of the question as Captain Russell. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. After the dinner adjournment Mr. Hodokixsox resumed the debate, and spoke against the proposal on the part of New Zealand to join the Federation. Sir George Grey remarked that one important point had altogether been overlooked in this discussion, that was that if they once bound themselves under Federation they would not be able to make any change in their constitution. It, therefore, this colony joined in Federation, which he hoped it would not do, they should ask the British Parliament to repeal the Constitution Act so as to provide that after a certain day it would cease to have any effect in New Zealand. Mr. Saunders thought the delegates to She convention should be chosen from the lew Parliament instead of the present jne. Sir John* Hall had not much to say as his riews on Federation were so well known. \s for Mr. Saunders's proposal for electing lelegates, he did not see how it could worlT, is it was possible that the convention would neet before the new Parliament assembled, de had studied the question of Imperial federation for many years, but he had never >een able to realise what was meant by it, is Federation between th. mother country ind her colonies had no meaning to his mind. ° Mr. Taiwhanga said ho would move in committee that one of the delegates should be a Maori. Messrs. Taylor and Moss were not in favour of New Zealand joining the Federation. Mr. Beetham thought it of the highest importance they should send delegates to the Convention. Mr. Hobbs moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to, and tho House rose at eleven p.m.