FEDERATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 29, 17 January 1912, Page 2

FEDERATION.

; AX AUSTRALIAN POLITICIAN’S L-- ~, VIEWS. . ; * THE EASTIISn MENAC^j Mr J. C. L. Fitzpatrick', M.L.A., of New South Wales, a member of the Totalisator Commission, was asked by a Palmerston “Standard” reporter for his opinion on the suggestion made by Mr A. Fisher, Federal Premier, at the (Australian Labour Conference, iiv' favour of the federation of New Zealand with the Commonwealth. ’ Mr Fitzpatrick "said that *a"good deal depended on the point 1 of view. He thought’ the proposal was a good one, although it emanated from the Labour Party, to which he was opposed. It seemed that in the Southern Hemisphere, where -thb interests were largely British and 1 Australian, there should he close combination on the part of Australia and New Zealand, if only for the purpose of maintaining a solid front against any probable aggressors; Despite all that might be said to the contrary by the optimistic section of the community, there was strong ground for the belief that in the days to come we would be confronted with something in the shape of aggression from Eastern peoples. This might come from China, Japan, or the Dutch Indies, the lastnamed only a few days’ sail from Australia. There was a danger, owing to the growing population and limited area of these countries, that they would attempt to take advantage of the isolated position of Australia with its sparse population to occupy its waste spaces. What would be a danger to Australia in this respect would be especially menacing to New Zealand. One had only to realise how close to 1 the top of Australia were the Dutch Indies, the Philippines, China and Japan to know the tremendous possibility that existed for an invasion by the coloured races. Though Australia could depend on the assistance of Great Britain when the latter was not involved in a European war, it would be impossible to do very much until such help arrived. Mr Fitzpatrick added that with the betterment of cable facilities the distance between New Zealand and Australia would be cut very short. Even if it did not pay the Dominion to enter the Union it might be possible for her to become one with Australia in relation to matters of defence, quarantine regulations, postal and telegraphic arrangements, cable services, and other matters in which their welfare might be mutual. If union could be effected even in these matters it might settle some of the great problems of the Southern Hemisphere in the near future.