FEDERAL COMMISSION.
PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received 28, 5.13 p.m.
Sydney, April 28, The following members of tlio New Zealand Federal Commissson were passengers by the Waihora :—Messrs Pitt, Russell, Bowen, Keid and wife, and Luke and wife. Others will probably be leaving during next week to assemble at Wellington on May Bth, to draft their report. Mr Leys interviewed said the Commissioners' impression waß that the people, of New South Wales did not manifest any great interest in the qnestion whether New Zealand did or did not join Federation. The fact that they came here in the very midst of 1 the Federal elections had probably a| gcod deal to do with this. In all other colonies the enquiries of this Commission excited a great deal of public interest. At the same time it iB of a very academic kind. Thn people of Australia feel towards Nuw Zeilmd very much, as New Zealar ders feel towards them, that is a feeling of great friendliness ; but there seems no very extensive knowledge of New Zealand affairs or unity of interest. Public men in all the Stotes express a strong and sincere desire that New Zealand should come into the Federation. Enquiries raised doubts whether New Zealand should l look for permanent markets for its products. These States have all such large areas of agricultural lands capable of giowing every kind of produce and productiveness is extending at such a rate that it is unlikely they will be dependent upon outsie'e products, except in times of exceptional scarcity. With regard to defence, it is agreed by all the military experts consulted that New Zealand's defence musj be the navy, and for a very long period New Zealand must look to tbe British. Navy for protection. He added that it must not be inferred the Commissioners come to any conclusion adverse to federation, as their labours were entirely directed to taking evidence. They purposely avoided at all meetings discussing the main issue till tbe whole evidence had been accumulated.
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 83, 29 April 1901, Page 3
Word Count
336FEDERAL COMMISSION. Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 83, 29 April 1901, Page 3
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