PROPOSED FEDERATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11993, 16 March 1901, Page 8

PROPOSED FEDERATION.

TO THE EDITOR, Sin,—You seem to attach great importance to tho opinions of tlio Rev. Mr M'Murray in favour of tho proposed federation of this colony with Australia, Greater weight, I think, should be given to the evidence of men lilce Mr W. Rolleslon. Ifr Donald Reid, Sir John Hall, and our leading manufacturers and tradesmen. From the financial point of view no loader has yet shown tliat New Zealand would benefit by federation, but from the social and political points of view the Rev. W. C'urzon-Siggera has shown tlmt she must loao if the people here transfer the reins of government to Now SoUth Wales. At the end of 1899-1900 tho six States of the Australian Commonwealth had a debt of £195,227,406, or an average of £52 2s 2d per howl for the four million*. The States fannot haver Freetrade, as they must raise a revenue of £8,500 000. If Now Zealand joined (lie Commonwealth, her finst annual payment towards the cost is estimated at over £200,000. Assuming that our electors were prepared to provide the extra post of government, the commercial benefits set forth may not lie realised. Already tho Federal States have nearly 9,000,000 acres under cultivation. The aggregate value of the' crops of these States for the K99-1900 season was £17,929,000, while their returns for pastoral and dairy products show a total of £39.?55,825. For many years Mr N. ,T. Drown (Sneaker of the Legislative Assembly, Tasmania) was an energetic advocate of federation. Regret liavin» been expressed that, ho is not a candidate for federal honours, Mr Brown says he cannot leave his private Wines* for four or five months in the year to attend tho Federal Parliament. •Unless it can be fairly shown that New Zealand should join Australia, I think the press muFt declare against it. The waiting policy seems to he the best.—T am, etc., W. A. W. Watiies. Dunedin, March 15.