NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION.
ANOTHER STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.
OFrom Our Own Cob respondent.) WELLINGTON, August 17. In answer to a question as to whether, seeing the great importance of the subject to the agricultural and manufacturing interests, the Government would during this session give the House an opportunity of discussing the advisability of this colony joining the Australian Commonwealth, the Premier said he was prepared to admit that the question was one of great importance. This caused him to ask members not to form a hasty conclusion, and not to take steps which would force the country to come to a premature decision. There could be no question of greater importance to the colony, therefore he had hesitated to allow it to be treated merely as a matter for debate. To set apart a day for a discussion would not touch the fringe of the subject. Only three or four speeches could be made, and the effect on the colony iriight be favorable or it might not. It would require a week or more, probably a month, to do the question justice. There were many members who had not yet gone fully irito the subject. So as to decide what effect federation would have on New Zealand .he would , like members to have matured ideas on the matter before asking them to express an opinion. He admitted the gravity of the situation, and the Government were carefully watching what was going on. There was no urgent need for hurry, as Western Australia had not yet passed the Enabling Bill. He did not think New Zealand had much to gain by joining the federation. In connection with the Pacific cable the Government had requested that New Zealand should be allowed to appoint one of the three representatives on the board, leaving the three Australian colonies concerned to appoint the other t'.vo, but objection had boon raised by one of the colonies, and as tlve Imperial authorities had pointed out the serious nature of the step proposed the Government had decided not to insist upon their request. How the three members were to be appointed by the four colonies he did not know. There was a deadlock at the' present moment. This did not impress him favourably as to the wisdom of putting New Zealand in the hands of the AusUalian colonies.
NEW ZEALAND AND FEDERATION.
Otago Witness, Issue 2373, 24 August 1899, Page 11
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