THE PREMIER ON FEDERATION AND COMMERCIAL RECIPROCITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9146, 13 March 1893, Page 5

THE PREMIER ON FEDERATION AND COMMERCIAL RECIPROCITY.

The Premier, Mr. Ballanoo, in the course of a conversation with Mr. W. J; Harris, formerly M.P. for Poole, in the House of Commons, who is at present visiting New Zealand, referring to the question of Im-. perial Federation, said :—" I fear that those who lead public opinion in the old country aro not well informed of the views of the colonies. Thoy seem to think that we require defence against England's enemies. We don't ask for defence. Wo already contribute to the expense of the naval squadron in Australasian waters, and wo have spont a largo sum on defending our own seaports. There is no colony more loyal to the mother country than New Zealand ; but, when you talk about the necessity of defending our commerce, and levying a contribution from us for that object, we almost feel inclined to say, 'You wish to make us pay towards what you are bound to do for your own interests.'" Mr. Harris: "In fact, you think that we might as woll ask the United States to contribute to the expenses of the British fleet because her commorco with England equally requires defence?" Mr. Ballance : " Precisely so." Mr. Harris : " What do you think of the scheme which I have put forward in the New Zealand press as a basis for Imperial Federation ?"

Mr. Ballance : " I believe that commercial considerations such us you propose must bo tho basis of any such proposal, and if only you can got tho people at home to accept your proposals, you will indeed have done a good work. Cannot the people of England see that the promises of Cobden aro as far from their fulfilment as they ever were? Cannot they see that reciprocity with the colonies is the nearest approach to real free exchange that they are over likely to obtain? It grieves me to think of tho mistake you aro making in giving the same trade preference to nations which are indifferent, and may bo inimical. You only have to offer your colonies preferential terms, and you will get tho same from thorn. Wo find that our policy of moderate Protection has been greatly to the benefit of the population. We legislate for the benefit of tho greatest number, and we desiro to benefit both the rural and the urban population. Notwithstanding our system of encouraging home industry, wo do a larger business with you, even now, than some of tho dependencies which have no protectionist tariff at all, and with reciprocity our trade, both import and export, would increase enormously. We are capable of supplying you with very much larger quantities of food than you now receive from us, or than you ever expect to receive."

In reply to an inquiry which Mr. Harris then made, as to the facilities that would be given to our working classes and our farmers to emigrate to Now Zealand, Mr. Ballance said : " Every facility will, be given so long as the people you send aro the right sort, but we can't have paupers footed upon us. It is our policy to cut up the land into small blocks, to suit industrious men, with small means, and to make purchase easy by deferred payment. We can't understand the policy of England, in opening her doors to every pauper that foreign nations send her, nor in keeping open her ports to tho freo import of productions, which result only from a system of underpaid labour. All this is incomprehensible to us."