THE FEDERAL MOVEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11148, 22 August 1899, Page 5

THE FEDERAL MOVEMENT.

POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND. VIEWS OF POLITICIANS. ! A LACK OF INFORMATION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. The feeling among members that something should be done before the end of the session to give the House an opportunity of discussing the question of federation is undoubtedly growing, and it may become so strong that the Government will be compelled to give the representatives of the people a chance of expressing their views on the subject. Though such a debate could, of course, have no practical outcome, no doubt an exchange of opinions on the question would be of great interest, but at the present time a federation debate would be of very little value as a means of educating the people of the colony, and forming a sound public opinion based on reliable data. Some of the most thoughtful and experienced politicians feel that at present they have not at their disposal the necessary information to warrant them in giving a definite opinion one way or the other. Sufficient facts are not available to enable them to estimate the exact effect from a legislative and commercial point .of view which federation would have upon New Zealand. Yet it is now clearly recognised on all hands that the colony is face to face with one of the gravest problems that it has yet been called upon to grapple with. A choice cannot be avoided, nor long delayed, and a right or wrong decision must have an enormous influence on the future welfare of the colony. Roughly speaking, this may bo said to be the view which an experienced politician like Mr. Rolleston takes on the subject. He is at present in the position rather of a student than a teacher. He is looking for information rather than seeking to give it. He and others like him want something more than vague generalities. They want definite facts and figures which will give the legislative, financial, and commercial bearings of federation. Members are beginning to recognise that a mistake has been made by Ministers having tried to shut their eyes to Australia's great experiment, and now that the question has been absolutely forced Upon them they are quite unprepared to give the country an intelligent lead. It is certain that nothing practical can be done this session, and it is very doubtful if it would be any use to set up a committee to gather the fullest information during the recess, as a general election is at hand, and many of the committee may not secure a seat in the new Parliament. Then, again, it is felt that public opinion is not sufficiently well instructed to warrant the coming election to be fought oh a federation, or no-federation issue. The position is regarded as a most serious and difficult one. It is all very well for members like Mr. McGowan to talk about New Zealand obtaining all she desired by a reciprocal tariff, but it is almost certain that united Australia will decline to agree to any proposals for reciprocity. Mr, Seddon, in a statement made in the House a short time ago, appeared to cling to the same hope, but Mr. Reid, the Now South Wales Premier, has almost completely closed this door of escape. He has stated distinctly that New Zealand must be ready to give as well as take, and must be prepared to accept the same risks as the other colonies. Australia will not consent to New Zealand standing apart and looking on, and watching how federation works, and then coming in, or not, as she thinks fit. Mr. Reid is reported to have stated that in his opinion no overtures should be made from Australia ; they must come from New Zealand. Of reciprocity, lie held out slight hopes, and what is more, he hinted that if New Zealand intended to federate she had belter make up her mind to do so without delay. A disposition to join out of a brotherly desire to become one of us would," lie said, " be warmly welcomed, but an effort to secure federation only after on attemptto obtain a reciprocal treaty had failed, might be regarded by the Commonwealth with suspicion, and lead to hostility." This statement by Mr. Reid practically disposes of the hopes of reciprocity to which several members of our Parliament seem to cling, and New Zealand, it appears, will have to choose bet ween unreservedly throwing in her lot with the Australian colonies—a step which once taken can never be retraced—or going her own Way, and taking the consequences. The halfway policy of reciprocity, if we are to bo guided by Mr. Reid, seems to be out of the question, and members are heginning to see that the problem must be faced on these lines. The New Zealand Times this morning, gives some opinions 011 the question from members, which are very vague and very brief. These views, some of which are given below, show very clearly how utterly unprepared the House is at present to deal satisfactorily with federation. As one member puts it, " If a motion to the effect that it is desirable that New Zealand should join the federation were moved, ho would probably vote against it, and ho would certainly vote against a motion affirming that it is not desirable to federate." The following are some of the opinions referred to: Mr. Lawry (Paniell) said, so far as he understood the question nt present, he was not in favour of New Zealand joining the Commonwealth, because he thought wo had really no community of Interests, in consequence of our isolation, His impression was wo had nothing to gain from such a course, and the probabilities were that we had a great deal to lose. Mr. Lawry added that'ho was, and always had becen, in favour of reciprocity. Mr. Crowther (Auckland City) thought New Zealand had better wait a bit. He feared the consequences if they had to make tho colony's ports free, more especially in regard to stock, which Australia could grow cheaper than New Zealand. He was of opinion that the information to hand was not sufficient to enable them to arrive at a definite conclusion 011 tho subject, although lie was not prepared to say he was against it.

Mr. Massey (Franklin) was inclined to favour federation, but wanted to know a good deal more about it before ho came to a final conclusion. A very strong Parliamentary Committee should be set up, and it should be given a whole session to take evidence and make inquiries as to the desirability of federation with the Australian Commonwealth, An enabling Bill would come afterwards. He did not think the time had arrived for submitting the question to the electors, as the public were not, generally speaking, sufficiently educated on the subject. Representing, as lie did, an agricultural community, he believed that New Zealand had a great deal more to gain than to lose from joining the federation, but he wanted to be quite sure of it before finally deciding, and they had not yet given sufficient consideration to the matter. He realised, however, that it was a question that bad to bo faced, and he thought the Government should give the House an opportunity of considering it this session. The time was passing, no doubt, but he did not think there was need for any particular hurry. He thought it was one of the first matter- that should be dealt with by the new Parliament, and a strong committee on non-party lines should go fully into it. Mr. Lang (Waikato) thought the matter was one tint required careful consideration. A strong Parliamentary Committee should be set up to consider it, and the discussion that had already taken place in the House would do good by directing public attention to the matter. People spoke vaguely about federation, without considering how it would affect the colony, and he himself had not come to any definite decision on the question. He thought that the matter ought to be fully discussed, because so far the discussion had only been on the principle, without going into the details, and it had not been clearly proved whether it would be advantageous or otherwise to New Zealand to join the Commonwealth. Mr. McGo'wan (Thames)' thought New Zealand could obtain all she required by a reciprocal tariff. ■ ; Federation would, to lite mind, entail a tremendous expense, for which as yet he could not see any benefit." New Zealand would he bound to pay her portion of, the expenses of the Federal' Govern-

meat, and the advantages gained would appear to be more sentimental than real. Of course, he did not undervalue sentiment, but, seeing that the Australians themselves had taken a long time in arriving- at a definite decision on the question, he thought New Zealand would be very foolish to come to a conclusion with any degree of haste, more especially as three of our prominent statesmen had reported against it after attending the Federal Convention. If reasonable benefits could be shown he would not be opposed to it, but at present he thought the benefits that would be secured by federation could be gained by means of a reciprocal tariff. He would not be opposed to setting up a Parliamentary Committee to inquire into the matter. He was afraid that this being a comparatively new hobby they were likely for a. time to ride it to death. However, there could be no harm in getting information on the subject. Mr. Moore (Kaiapoi) drew attention to the importance of the federation question when considered in the light of the efforts of the Government to encourage the small settlers. He stated that Australia provides the principal markets for.their produce, and if these markets are blocked the outlook for these people will be far from hopeful. The question is, he says, one which concerns the small settler far more than the large landowners.

AUCKLAND FEDERATION LEAGUE. A meeting of the Auckland Federation League took place last evening in the Harbour Board Offices. Mr. C. E. Button (president) occupied the chair. There was an ex- : cellent attendance, the occasion being a lec- j ture by the Rev. Geo. MncMurray on federation. A man was suspended on the platform to illustrate special points touched on by the lecturer. The Rev. G. Mac Murray introduced his subject by showing the historical lessons i taught by federation, and said that the race that bad not the instinct of federation was a decadent nation. So long as tho colonies wero separate there would be friction, but a strong central Government would not only settle disputes, but would prevent them. As to the terms of federation, there should be a proper balance between State rights and those of the Commonwealth. The lecturer doscribed the salient features of the Commonwealth Bill, and thought the constitution was one of tho fairest that had ever been promulgated in the history of tho world. Ho then reviewed seriatim ail tho objections raised by Dr. Laishley at the public meeting under the auspices of the New Zealand Natives' Association. He did not believe that tho Australian Federation would entertain reciprocity, and that New Zealand would suffer fop-standing out. Ho sarcastically alluded to the Premier's pronouncement on tho subject in Parliament, and to Captain Russell's views, nine years ago, as unworthy of consideration, as limes liiul changed, and men had changed with them. If there was a question which needed urgency it was federation. In a year at most New Zealand's opportunity would he beyond recall, and the next generation would reproach their predecessors for their unwise action. The question of defence was an overshadowing one, and on that score alone the colonies should be handed together. The rev. gentleman concluded an oloquent address by exhorting those present to study the question for themselves, so as to bo able to eomo to a correct conclusion 011 the question, which was a solemn one for the colony, and would colour all its future destiny. Air. No>h Wood, while not agreeing with all Mr. MacMtirray's views, had pleasure in moving a hearty voto of thanks to him for his able and eloquent address, and that it ho printed as part of tho transactions of the Auckland branch of tho Federation League. Mr. Knight seconded the motion. Ho was surprised at the apathy displayed in tho South. Ho had been recently in Australia, and there oouhl bo seen real enthusiasm. After some remarks by Mr. 11. B. Morton and Mr. R. R. Hunt, on the subject, the motion was carried by acclamation. A PROPHESY. By Telegraph.-Press Association.—Copyright. 1 Sydney, August 21. The Sydney Morning Herald, commenting on tho growth of the federal spirit in New Zealand, says the upshot must bo that New Zealand will ultimately join band-in-hand with her natural allies and confirm Australasia's dominion in this part of the world.

CHRISTIANITY AND FEDERATION. The vicar of St. Luke's, Mount Albert (the .Rev. F. Lnrkins) began his address on Sunday morning by expressing the hope that the federation of the Australasian colonics would soon be a living fact, and include Now Zealand. He said that tho isolation of this colony must be a political, social, and moral mistake, and that union must be strength in regard to nations or communities. The details of the union might bo beneficial or otherwise to individual colonies, but unity and federal union must be beneficial oh the whole to all and to each. He argued that tho principle of union was a Christian basis, and that isolation was not of God, nor of the Bible, nor of the Church of England Prayer Hook. In more than one sense it was not good for man to be alone, unity was strength and peace and security to colonies. He asked them to use the following prayer, or the spirit of it, in regard to the federation of Australasia, viz., "0 Ood, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace, give lis grace seriously to lay to heart the dangers of unhappy decisions in Church and State. Take awnv, 0 Lord, all that may hinder us from Godly union and concord in these colonies, and, if it be Thy will, unite all in one political and Christian brotherhood, so that we may be of one heart and of one soul, and may with one heart and one mouth glorify Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord."