The Federation Commission

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9873, 21 February 1901, Page 2

The Federation Commission

SHALL WE FEDERATE?

tPer Press Association.)

CHRISTCHUBCH, February 20. At the Federation Commission after luncheon John Scott Meyers, farmer, said he did not think federation would pay. As a grower of onions he did not hink '$ha,fe trade would be ruined unless the" colony Joined federation, but did not think small farmers generally would suffer, J. A. McCulloch, tinsmith, lepresentin'gthe Trades and Labor Council, read a resolution passed by that body to the effect that federation is not desirable in the interests of workers. Jas Young, bootmaker, coincided with the last witness. A. E. G. Rhodes, banister, 'thought tho producers of oats and roots would suffer if the col- - owy , stood out, and agriculturists " generaJly would also suffer as. well as the milling industry. Walter Nettton, unholsterer, thought the loss of the whole Austrian trade would not affect the colony much. His trade was strongly opposed to federation, as Sydney 6ouid produce* furniture made by Chinese, who worked 70 hours a week for 255. Under federation tins colony would be-at the mercy of the Chinese, At present a good deal of this furniture came here,- and under • freetrade the results would be simply disastrous. He was also opposed to federation politically. John Lee Scott, engineer con sidered federation would ultimately be for the good of this colony. In. his opinion New, Zealand, was destined to become, a . great,manufacturing country."lt had coal, minerals, «,nd water power in abundance, ' while its kbbrers were superior to those of Australia. The superior productive power per man would more tha» balance.the difference in' wages It must benefit th colony to have such a large market as Australia, it would be 1 selfish to refuse to join, and the colony should.. try to leaven tne" whole Commonwealth with better labor conditions; Australia, waa already following New Zealand's lead and • this colony would not be. dragged back. • At a poorly attended meeting of farmers today called by the A.' and P. Assaciation to discuss federation, the. fbl.. lowing resolution was carried :•'"That the . various agricultural and' pastoral awoc- " intiona throughout Canterbury should be requested to convene meetings of 'farmers with a view to discussing the question of I federation and appointing delegates to at. tend a central meeting, to 'Wield during March." „ ". r