AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4315, 26 March 1901, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION

NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION- ' : v SYDNEY, March 25. A conference of the commandants of, the various colonies is being held in Sydney, with the object of arranging the details of the transfer of the defence forces to tho command of the Federal authorities. (Received March 25, 10.4 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 25. 1 The New Zealand Commissioners today examined Mr Meeks (ah ex-presi-‘ dent of the Chamber of Commerce) and Sir George Dibbs (an ex-Premier). They; have postponed hearing Mr Reid until their return to Sydney. ■ ; It is understood that Sir George' Dibbs was emphatically of opinion that it would be unwise for New Zealand to join the Commonwealth.

The Commissioners visit the Agricultural College at Richmond to-morrow. ■ AUCKLAND, March 25. The “Star’s” special correspondent,; writing from Sydney on the 20th instant, says that the morning after the, arrival of the Federation Commission' ho had an interview with, the Hon John See, Colonial Secretary of New South! Wales, and the Hon R. E. O’Connor,’ Vice-President of the Federal Council,! who, in the absence of the Hon Mr Bar-, ton, was’ acting on his behalf. Both gentlemen expressed a strong desire that New Zealand should -join the Commonwealth. From what transpired at’ the interview it appears certain • that New Zealand would experience no difficulty in obtaining admittance on terms' not less favourable than those accorded to original States. On 10th March the Commissioners had a long interview with Mr .Bartoti. the Federal Premier. Mr Barton, like the other members of tho Federal and State Ministries seen' by the Commission, expressed an earnest desire that New Zealand should join, and declared the willingness of himself and his colleagues to facilitate the union by offering most liberal terms. On the! same evening at a dinner at the Hotel Australia giyen to the Commissioners by Mr Cox, of Bert and Co., Mr Barton reiterated tho-desiro of his Government that there should be a united Australasia.