THE FEDERATION COMMISSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11581, 20 February 1901, Page 5

THE FEDERATION COMMISSION

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Ghristch urch, Tuesday. Tub Federation Commission continued its sittings to-day. Mr. Robert Allen, president of the Industrial Association, stated that he was opposed to federation from every standpoint. New Zealand would not be able to compete with Australia in manufactures.

Mr. William Chrystall, merchant, also opposed federation. Mr. George Henry Blackwell, managing director of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, opposed federation, and said it would prejudicially affect the colony's woollen and clothing factories. Mr. Robert Ewen McDougall opposed federation because manufactures would be prejudicially affected. Mr. William Wood, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, objected to federation because it would give Australian manufacturers a preference over and above British manufacturers, and as Britain consumed 92 per cent, of our products she should be taken into consideration.

Mr. Henry Wood, tiourmiller, gave evidence to the* effect that federation would be a bad thing for millers as Australian flour would compete on equal terms with South Island produce in the North Island. The South Island produced practically all the wheat grown in New Zealand, and coukl only send wheat to Australia in time of failure of crops there through drought. Mr. H. F. Wigram, maltster, said if we did not fedeiate it would probably kill the. malting trade in New Zealand. Mr. J. Gould, merchant, considered that the farming industry would be greatly benefited by federation. The trade with Australia in oats, barley, potatoes, onions, and other produce would bo greatly increased, whereas a high protective tariff would stop trade, except in times of drought. New Zealand standing alone would be outweighed by the Commonwealth when a difference of interests arose. He did not think our manufactures would be prejudicially affected by federation. The colony would be as well represented in the Federal Parliament as Queensland or West Australia.

Mr. G. Humphreys, merchant, was decidedly opposed to federation. He considered that New Zealand and Australia produced practically the same things. The English market must always rule prices. Two out of each three years Australia could do without our potatoes. Mr. Q. S. Jakins, produce merchant, doing business for 40 years with Australia, thought it would De ruinous for the colony to stand out of the federation, as far as agricultural interests were concerned. With federation the colony could double its exports to Australia. Tasmania alone could produce all the potatoes required in Australia if encouraged by a protective tariff, and other products could also be procured in Australia if necessary. Manufacturers had nothing to fear, as New Zealand could doubtless get from the federation the same terms as West. Australia, and bo allowed to retain its Customs duties for five yearn, reducing them by five per cent, per year. It would be better to be part of a large nation than an isolated small one, and this colony had no reason to distrust the other colonies. The Federal Government would have the right to take 25 per cent, of our Customs, but we had no reason to assume that it would do so.

His examination had not been concluded when the Commission rose for the day.