NEW ZEALAND AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11962, 8 February 1901, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

« • interview with mr collins, m:h.r. (From Our Own ConnEsroNDKNT.) WELLINGTON, February .7. Amongst the New Zealanders who returned from the Commonwealth celebrations in the Monowai was Mr Collins, M.H.R. He has thb same tale to tell as most others have told ot the magnificence of the Sydney ceremonials, also he adds that the New Zenlanders everywhere received a most hearty and cordial'welcome. '.Mr Collins went on to make some rather interesting remarks in regard to Now Zealand and tho Commonwealth. Ho had done his best to get at the true feeling of the people, and he said there was no disguising the fact that Australians'generally regard New Zealand as being in the forefront of all tho colonies in regard to political and social reforms; moreover, they hope to benefit from our experience and largely to follow in our wake. As to federating with them, Mr Collins thinks it is too early yet to talk about that. Thero was, he found, a very general feeling of disappointment that we have not come into the federation, and nearly all seemed to bo anxions we should participate in the great benefits expected. They could not understand why we wore holding aloof. In that respect, said Mr Collins, they failed to appreciate our actual position—viz., that we wished to wait for further information. Even in Australia ho found there was a very considerable element that looked on federation as an experiment, the ultimate issue of which they were doubtful about. They hoped for the' best, but they would not pretend to say that the success of the experiment was absolutely assured. A. great many people went in for federation from a sentimental standpoint, hoping that Federated Australia would develop into a big Power,, and that they would become a great people. Those had not looked into details nor considered how it would affect the relationship of the different States one with another. Sentiment had played a greater part than many people imagined. Some thought they would have " booming " times as the result of federation, but tho wiser amongst them did not look for that. Ho could not but help thinking that their keenness to got New Zealand to come in was not altogether disinterested. As a matter of fact, they recognised the undoubted prosperity of our colony and the great advantages of its productiveness.