FEDERATION COMMISSION.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9885, 6 March 1901, Page 2

FEDERATION COMMISSION.

AUCKLAND, March 5. The following witnesses were examined this afternoon:

The Rev. J. C. Andrews thought New Zealand was too far away from Australia to be politically united. If. we were united the solution of problems would be taken out of our hands which we could deal better with ourselves, such as the treatment of the Maori race.

Mr Wm, McLaughlin, the well known, farmer of Papatoitoi, said from an agricultural point of view New Zealand would be better off

without federating. In times of drought Australia must either take New Zealand produce or starve.

Mr Thomas Hadfield, bootmaker, said the prevailing feeling among the men was one of opposition to federation. ■ Mr Samuel Vaile, late President of the Chamber, of Commerce, was thoroughly adverse to federation. To federate would be to destroy our national life. If we federated New Zealand would have to open her doors to a swarm of Asiatics, who in time might completely swamp our own labor. The Maoris would be deprived of the franchise, and the whole of our I Customs would in a few years be absorbed to pay our share of the Commonwealth expenses. There was a difference in character between the Australian and New Zealand people,, Jand the difference would probably be accentuated as time went on.

Mr M. A. Clark, President of the Auckland Industrial Association, thought federation would on the whole be prejudicial to New Zealand. As a manufacturer, he thought the industries of New Zealand would be seriously injured if federation took

•place. Competition from Australia would undoubtedly cut down wages in this country.

Mr Thomas Peacocke also opposed federation. The distance form Australia and the question of defence were his chief objections.