MR. JOHN ROSS ON FEDERATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4293, 28 February 1901, Page 5

MR. JOHN ROSS ON FEDERATION.

As our curtailed report of the statement of Mr John Ross'Jof Messrs Sargood, Son and Ewen), laid before the Federation Commission did not give a just idea of that gentleman’s opinions on the subject, wo now print his statement in full. . , Mr Ross wrote:—Jn common with most of our people, on the first flush the sentiment or federation seemed to me "fetching,” but’ on reflection, and J looking at the matter commercially, I came to the conclusion that it would place us at a disadvantage in many ways. New' Zealand is a self-contained colony, ' wit h a grand climate, numerous resources, J fertile soil and a vigorous and robust | race; hence it is quite capable of stand- > ing alone and working out its own destiny, whilst any advantages to be gained I by'federation are distant and problem- ■ atical. In fact, I am of opinion that for ; considerable time at least our raauu- . facturiqg industries would suffer so- . verely; oven now we find it difficult to ■ hold our own in many lines, and with a low, uniform tariff, competition would • ho still keener qnd load to an all-round reduction in workmen’s wages, so as to . assimilate with the low rates ruling in , congested cities like Sydney and Melbourne, not to speak of the Home Conntry, America and Germany. I am strongly in favour of workmen getting a fair wage for a lair day’s work, hut it must bo obvious even to tip unions that a fixity .for a reasonable period and at a rate that permits of yair competition is imperative, as uncertainty as to pride of labour, constant chopping and changing and asking for more like Oliver —binders progress, locks up capital, opens the door to outside (.'Oinpotition and spells ruin to existing industries and to the workmen themselves. 'Progress should bo on the principle of the three F’s —fair wage, fixity of tenure, freedom of contract, i'ho latter would give merit a show against the dead levelism which unions impose on their members. Nor do I see that our agricultural productions would advantage much by federation, as it is only when hard pressed through droughts, cite., that Australia buys of New Zealand. Hence under similar circumstances they would not shut their doors against buying m the nearest and cheapest market, in the future, simple because New Zealand declined to enter the Commonwealth. A point worthv of consideration is tha. New Zealand holds a unique position among the colonies —apart from her climate,'resourceful and racial advantages —in that her advanced legislation, grappling with and giving effect to solutions of political and social problems for the betterment of humanity, has brought her prominently and favourably before the world as eminently progressive. There is no reason why she should sacrifice this proud position. Only now is New Zealand beginning to reap the full fruits and advantages of years of hard toil and much expenditure by the early settlers, and wise legislation by many able statesmen at the helm, since its initiation as a colony, It e shoqld not: therefore, lightly barter our independence, right of self-government, and mdrge and lose our identity in that o£ the Cep l ; raenwealth of-Australia. I further hole that in the interests of Australia ana New Zealand they should not federate, as a healthy, friendly rivalry acts as a stimulus and will aid the progress of both politically, commercially and socially; and should outside trouble arise, they 1 will loyally stand by each other. Reci--3 procity should meet all that is required. • Finally, the importance of this question 5 of federation will be a sufficient excuse for tcy venturing to offer a suggestion to the Roval Commission, uamelv, that to my f : mind it would greatly facilitate their . work of inquiry if the people were edu- ( cated in advance of the Commissioners’

sittings, by publishing in the newspapers the nature and scope of their inquiries, and giving a short synopsis ..of the salientpoints of the Federal Constitution; the basis upon which New Zealand would ba admitted and.stand; its power and representation in the Federal Parliament, and the power the Federal Parliament holds of taxing the various States to make good deficiencies in the federal revenue, and for levying money to carry on federal works, etc., in all States. To federate with our present limited knowledge of commitment is too risky, bearing in mind that, once wedded, divorce would be difficult. Better wait developments by the Australian Federal Parliament, even if it costs us more to join later on.