NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3826, 23 August 1899, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION

MORE OPINIONS FROM MEMBERS. Below we publish the opinions of a further batch of members of the House of Representatives on the subject of federation as it affects New Zealand. Mr McGuire (Hawera) said ho had not yet made up his mind on the subject. The question was one of great magnitude, and ho ivould, therefore, like more light before coming to a decision. He regretted that no opportunity had been given to the House to discuss this important matter. If it. was posable to get commercial recinrocity without federation he would have no hesitation in saying that that was the best line to adopt. We must, however, not forget that federation is almost an accomplished fact on the other side, and if we delayed we might find some difficulty hereafter in making satisfactory commercial arrangements with federated Australasia after the door was once closed. It would be to the advantage of our producers, particularly tho small fanners, to have an open door for their produce. We should be most careful not to barter away any of our Liberties. A Grand Committee of our most capable business men, representing town and country, should, in his opinion, he unpointed to go fully into the matter, and report to the House, and the matter oug.ic to be submitted to the electors at the approaching general election

Mr Buchanan (Wairarapa) had not yet come to any decision on the subject, hut no one could' doubt tliat the question was of sufficient importance to justify debate. If New Zealand was to take any steps in tho matter the near advent of. a general election was rather an unfortunate occurrence, but knowing the length at which the matter had been discussed in Australia before a final conclusion was come to, we could not doubt-the necessity of similar care being taken by New Zealand before arriving at a decision. The matter should be put before tho, electors, and it would be a great advantage to them if it were debated at length in tho House.

.dr George Fisher (Wellington City) Was strongly in favour of federation, and referred to a speech which ho had made on the subject as far back as 1890, when he expressed the hone that Now Zealand would not hold altogether aloof from a great assembly whose existence- he was sure, in years to come would lead to the adoption of measures that would confer untold benefits unon this country. Mr Fisher added that he would favour the reference of the question to the people by way of the referendum.

Mr C. H. Mills (Wairau) said ho was not in favour of federation at present, as we did not possess sufficient information about it. Supposing we did join the Commonwealth, and any disagreement arose New Zealand would be in a decided minority, and would have very little influence. He was in favour of having the matter thoroughly discussed by the House, and he was also strongly in favour of some steps being taken to arrange for a reciprocal tariff. That was as far as we ought to go at present. The other colonics • required our produce, and ho thought that fact would be sufficient to ensure this colony getting fair terms. Certain issues should bo put before the House and fully discussed, by which moans they would be able to arrive at a conclusion better than they could at present. ■

‘Mr Wason (Sclwyn) had never,had hutone opinion about the desirability of New Zealand’s joining, the Australian federation. and that, was that it would ho simply suicidal for her to keep out of it. New Zealand had everything to gain bjr inclusion. Our- farmers and merchant 0 ; would bitterly regret the apathy'of our'leadings politicians in letting tho most important event of our tame slip, by without notice. It was, he wont on to say, too absurd to suppose that Federated Australia would enter into a reciprocal tariff .with New Zealand. The- reciprocity would bo all on one side. Australia could send us no farmers’ produce! no fish, no oysters. With the Australian market open, New Zealand would 1 do an enormous 'trade witu Australia. Some of the leading manufacturers in Christchurch had expressed themselves very strongly in favour ot federation and their ability to compete m the Australian markets. The question of distance was a bagatelle. -Under a fair steam service, Wellington would-be much more accessible to Sydney than a large portion of Australia.* We would, under federation, have a weekly mail service with the centre of the world, : instead or being tho most isolated, distant spot m the Queen’s dominions.

Mr Carncross(Taieri) admitted that lie had not yet studied the question with sufficient closeness to warrant him in arriving at a definite conclusion on a question, of such great magnitude. It appeared to him that the majority of those who announced themselves as supporters of federation were mainly influenced by one inducement—that a market may, be found for our produce. « He was not satisfied that federation was the only “open sesame” to that.dcsirablc end. If the extension of trade was the principal object aimed at, why not make some earnest, energetic attempt at securing reciprocal tariffs before agreeing to run the risk of losing onr independence and nationality? He would not bo prepared to advocate federation until serious attempts had been made to secure reciprocal'tanas, or until a much larger amount of information on the subject, had been laid before-the country . and thoroughly discussed.

Mr Graham (Nelson) remarked that while the time had probably arrived when it would be beneficial for the contiguous colonies of Australia to federate, it did not necessarily follow that it would be equally beneficial for New’ Zealand, at a 1 events at present, to become one of the federated States. The question of what we had to gain or lose by federation had, ho thought, not yet been sufficiently considered, but in view of the probable early federation of the Australian group of colonies, it was highly desirable to obtain, bv the best means available, all possible information on the subject, in order that it might be placed before the people for their decision. .We should, doubtless, have to forego some of our existing rights and privileges in return for benefits, derived from federation, and much knowledge had yet to be gained before wc would bo in a position to enable the people to give a definite answer—yes or. no—on the question. The issues are so great, in Mr Graham’s opinion, chat k would be wise to “make baste slowly,” His personal' opinion at present is that if a satisfactory reciprocal Customs tariff can bo established between New Zealand and the other colonies it would, in view of our relative geographical positions, ho much more to the advantage of New Zealand than federation-;.'

Hr Morrison (Caversham) did not be--lieve in federation, .and had not heard sufficient argument advanced to convince him that it would be to the interest of New Zealand to join the Commonwealth. He was not, he said, at all satisfied with the statements which had' appeared in the Press with regard to the great advantages New Zealand would be likely to derive from having an ■ open market on the other side. And he was afraid that freetrade with Aiistraiia would operate as much against New Zealand as to the benefit of the colony. He would not oppose the matter being submitted to a Parliamentary committee for the purpose of having inquiries made, and to got re-

liable information to put before the House, but he did not think it would be advisable to set up such a committee tins year, in the last session of a Parliament. The committee should bo set up next session, so that those members who reported on it would be in tho House to discuss it.

■ Mr Bollard (Eden) said he was not in possession of sufficient information to warrant him in expressing an opinion, and lie thought it behoved members to bo careful before giving expression to their views. He should like to know wnat terms the Australian colonies wore able to dictate to New Zealand, and on what terms they would allow us to come in loth e federation, before expressing ai opinion. It would be a good thing if a reciprocal tariff could be arranged.