NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11151, 25 August 1899, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION.

"-■y ANOTHER STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

THE RECIPROCAL TARIFF PLAN. [BY TELEGRAPH. — CORRESPONDENT I .] Wellington, Thursday. Mr. Jotce asked tlio Premier this afternoon, whether, as considerable interest and publio opinion existed at the present time in many parts of the colony oh tlie questibn of reciprocal tariff treaty with the Commonwealth of Australia, the Government would consider the propriety of submitting a resolution to the House, suggesting therein that personal inquiries should be forthwith made by tlirefe representatives of this Chamber, so that a report thereon could be made before prorogation, and definite issues prepared by the House for Such a, treaty being disposed of by the electors of tlio colony in December next. Mr. Joyce thought the Government, in addition to endeavouring to secure d reciprocal tariff, ought to let it be known that they were prepared to give a handsome contribution to the cost of the defence of Australasia. The Premier, in relpy, stated that what was to his mind the most important part of Mr. Joyce's question—the sending 1 of three members of the House to Australia— been practically withdrawn. Ho (Mr. Seddori) thought that in that Mr. Joyce had made a mistake. Thero were three members he would like to send. (Cries of "Name.") They would be nameless, but their absence would greatly facilitate the progress of business. A Member: " This is rather debatable."

The Premier added that nothing less than a mandamus would got them to go. But speaking seriously, proceeded Mr. Soddon, he did not thihk much would bo gained by sending members of Parliament. . If they were chosen from tho Government side of the House their opinions would be federalists; and if from the Opposition they would bo antifederalists.

Mr. Masbey: " Are you all Federalists on that side?"

Mr. Seddon: "Not all, but some." He had just had a conversation with a gentleman who had made special inquiries, in Australia, and ho (the Premier) had been informed that the best way for thb Government to go to work was first to have tables compiled of last year's exports from New Zealand to the other colonies. He had token steps to get this information some days ago. These statistics would be laid on the table as soon as they were ready. It would also probably lie woll to go back a few years, as last year might bo in some ways exceptional. They should also have information as to the probable production of Australia, and as to how it was likely to affect our own producer?. The Australians were likely to follow New Zealand. As regards land settlement, they were going in for this very largely in the neighbouring colonies, and they would be our competitors. It was a very serious matter to properly gauge tlio situation. They must look ahead, because they had the land in Australia, and thei, population was increasing more rapidly than that of Now Zealand, our colony having the lowest birth rate of the lot. We must see where we would bts in five or six years to come, for fear lest wo should find we had given away oui privileges foi markets which might not provo permanent. Wo should ask what we had to get for what we might liavo to give. His own mind was quite open on the subject, and ho thought he would be doing what was best for members and for the colony by obtaining the fullest information. Tn answering another question, Mr. Seddon referred to federation as a contingoncy that may be possible.