NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8555, 1 May 1891, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION.

INTERVIEW WITH THE PREMIER.

MR. BALLANCE'S VIEWS.

OPPOSED TO JOINING THE WEALTH. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wellington, Thursday. I had an interview with the Hon. Mr. Ballance in order to verify some statements reported to be made by him and published in the morning paper here. He Hftid the question of federation was one upon which at the present stage he held a very decided opinion. No one had affirmed that federation would be an unmixed good. The question turned entirely upon issues of fact, and the consequences likely to proceed from them. As to the trade relations with Australia, he considered that those colonies must continue to tak<? produce from New Zealand. If they chose to put an -. import duty on New Zealand produce, that made these food staples dearer for their own people. II they put an export duty upon what they send to New.Zealand, that also was an impost against their own people. He accepted the figures of Sir Harry Atkinson, | showing that by a substitution of the Victorian tariff for that of New Zealand, there would be a loss of £400,000 a vear. There could be no federation in the complete sense of the word if the liabilities were not taken over as well as the assets. The fact that the Convention refitted to accept the Privy Council as a final Court of Appeal had a special significance, and opened the way to the suspicion that there was in tho mind of the Convention the probability of a separation from tho Mother Country, and sotting up and independent State. What would be the position of an outlying country twelve hundred miles distant from the centre in such circumstances ? As to defence, New Zealand at present contributes her share of the expense for that purpose. As to the maintenance of a colonial fleet, the vast expenditure necessary, and the rapidity with which vessels become obsolete, make that out of the question. As to the influence to be maintained in the Pacific Islands, France,' Germany, England, and America were there already. They would continue to be there. All but a few unimportant islands were already completely under their influence. No federation of the colonies would affect the relations or the conduct of these powers. As to the maritime trade and fleets of Great Britain and of Europe, questions affecting them lay altogether outside of federation. As to the propinquity of the colonial markets, the advancement, of science had brought the great markets of the_ world very near. -- New Zealand had suffered much through the fluctuations of the colonial markets. The steadiness of the Great European markets compensated greatly for distance. They regulated the prices. Everything indicated the future prosperity and wealth of New Zealand. If she were impeded in her progress by being bound to another power, or lost the free opportunity for tho development of her internal resources, her career would bo stopped. Loss of wealth is loss of political power. When Ireland federated with England her sources of wealth were extinguished. She lost political power. New Zealand would furnish many resemblances to Ireland if she became federated with Australia, resemblances in situation, in connection, and numerous other aspects. As to England, that country would continue to aid as well as protect her distant colonies. The public opinion of Australia would rule the Commonwealth of Australasia. New Zealand would have but little regard. New Zealand had the empire for her protection, her own Legislature, and the Crown for her State, and her own peoplo for her nationality. What could she want more.