THE FEDERAL MOVEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11162, 7 September 1899, Page 5

THE FEDERAL MOVEMENT.

\ " ATTITUDE OF NEW ZEALAND. t \. VIEWS OF PREMIER REID. [BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] ' Wellington, Wednesday. A REPRESENTATIVE of the Dunedin Star, who •ha? just returned from a short visit to Sydney, states that the federal movement in New Zealand is being watched with considerable interest in New South Wales. The Right Hon, G, H, Rcid was interviewed by the representative, and expressed his satisfaction with the growing interest of New Zealand in federation as showm by recent cable messages, and probably bearing in mind his own experience, hintefl that although now an anti-federalist, Mr. Seddon would, if public opinion wore properly awakened on the subject, be forced to change his news as an alternative to retirement into the cool shades of Opposition. On the subject of reciprocity and the manner in which the Commonwealth was likely to receivo proposals from Now Zealand, Mr. Roid said:— " If the public men of New Zealand are of opinion that the futufe is bound to make that colony moro and more dependent upon tho Australian market, then it occurs to mo tho situation is a very serious 0110 for Now Zealand. If New Zealand wore to make a prompt and cordial advance while tho federal movement is just short of accomplishment that might be looked upon as a brotherly overture, and bo received in a brotherly spirit. But if tho movement in New Zealand drags and is shown to bo simply inspired by selfish motives—of course suoh a movomont would not in the first place succeed in Now Zealand, because no movement of that 6ort on such a basis will ever succeed—but supposing that it should succeed beyond all expectations, the overtures coming when the Australian tariff was up, the Australians would look upon the advances of New Zealand under such circumstances with some suspicion. They would say, 'New Zealand is forced to ! como to us.' If your public men really mean business, every day is important. Delay is dangerous, and may prove cosily. If, however, New Zealand's coming into the federation movement is a more business matter, and the step is only taken to got a market for Now Zealand products, the result is not likely to be ontiroly beneficial, for wo Australians aro just as keen over business matters as your people aro, and when you como along on a business point of view, and in a business spirit, the formers of Australia, who are a very important body, are not likely, matters being on a business level, to welcome with open arms the agricultural products of New Zealand. New Zealand lias a high tariff, I believe, and although it is not supposed to bo a protective tariff, practically it is so in many lines, and one of tho drawbacks of protection is that it is- a case of ' blow for blow.' In the Commonwealth, while I look forward with great confidence to tho development of the policy of comparative Iroedom of commerce, there aro bound to bo revenue necessities. There aro many who, while perhaps feeling strongly regarding a protective policy all round, would bo ill favour of a protective tariff on agricultural products, and those are tho products which Now Zealand has mainly to send to an Australian merchant." Summing up the position, Mr. Reid said that if Now Zealand meant union with Australia, tho sooner she set about it tho hotter, but if tho proposal came from her more as a trading concern than as an impulse of brotherhood, as mero business zeal, the over turcs would bo received in a corresponding spirit, and tlioy knew what that meant. If Now Zealand decided to become a federated State, sho would only give up matters of a national character, and would retain all her powers of self-government. The Zoaland journalist had also an interview with Mr. Barton, who advised all supporters of federation in Now Zealand to keep tho subject before the public, through the press and public men, and to endeavour to got a referendum taken on it at tho general election.