THE "ARGUS" ON FIJIAN ANNEXATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 206, 6 October 1900, Page 3

THE "ARGUS" ON FIJIAN ANNEXATION.

PBS PBBSS ASSOCIATION. (Received 6,10.30 p.t«,) Uxlboubnb, October 5. The Argvs says: —"Mr. Seddon's Ambition is to be a maker of history. His last stroke of policy "is the boldest attempt to secure abiding distinction in New Zealandhistory. Heis trying to establish a second federation in Australasia. It is a big idea, and has found a bold champion. Thsre has \ always been a party in New Zealand k\ w hioh looked less to Australia than to Talando for broadening their interests, sympathies, and responsibilities., Latterly, however, many New Zealandera have doubted whether the ' colony's abstention from the Australian Federation movement was a prudent policy. They see the advantages f one system of national laws, o'~ common defence, freedom of trade, and industrial enterprise, and one Australasian sentiment ,of patriotism. Mr Seddon does not belong to this party. The disadvantage of an all inclusive union is that New Zealand would be over-shadowed, out-voted, and out-paced by Australia, so Mr. * meets the longing fer larger life a«d mare extended relationship by reviving the old idea of Island federation, in which New Zealand will the predominant partner." It continues by stating that obviously the ■cheme implies that union with Fiji is no secret. The planters and traders in Fiji hoped it would become a State or dependency of the Commonwealth, It could at first only have been s dependency, while Mr, Seddon offers an alliance with New Zealand. The native population would not present the difficulty to New Zealand that it would b< to the Commonwealth, because the ♦ farmer has experience in native affairs If Fiji should federate with New Zea land then Tonga would soon follow When the Zealand scheme is unfolded it is not difficult to understand the dis appointment felt in that colony ove the annexation of Samoa. Received 6,12.30 a.m. Melboubne, October 5. The Argus adds that it is not like! - - the Imperial Government will sanctio: guy step in the direction of Fiji's unio with New Zealand till the Commoi wealth has been consulted. The grou v - may become a considerable exporter ( products in the way of tropical agricu tare, so it may look to the Commoi wealth as the better market. It all might feel safer if protected by tl defensive resources of the Commoi wealth. '

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