FEDERATION MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 487, 14 September 1899, Page 2

FEDERATION MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE.

A MEETiNO to discuss the matter of the colony joining tho Australasian Federation, was held-in the Cambridge Public Hall, on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance, the Mayor (Mr F, W. Buckland) presided. The Chairman opened the meeting by giving his opiniou on the matter, and said he was in favour of joining the Federation of what would at some time be one of the largest nations on earth, viz, that of the Federated English speaking x'aces. He counselled those present not to consider the question from a small point of view, as to what products the Australians would or would not take, but to approach the question in a broad manner and consider what would be best for their children's children. Mr Wells said he had been in favour of Federation for some 10 years. He then moved the following resolution : (1) That this meeting approves of the principle of Australasian Federation and that it is in the best interests of New Zealand that this colony should join as an original State ; and (2) further that no time should be lost in the taking of the necessary referendum on the subject. He then quoted from the New Zealand Times, which gave a lengthy report on the matter. Some of the remarks in the paper referred to he agreed with, but some of them he spoke against. Be gave a list of the matteis the Federal Parliament would attend to, as provided under the Federal Act. He thought that the taking over of the loans would mean a saving of three quarters of a million per annum. He was not in favour of a proviso being made for any State separating from the Federation, as the New Zealand Times evidently was. That, in his opinion, would be a fatal mistake. The customs duties would probably fall off, but even if they did, the money would still be there and we should not be any poorer. It was contended that the military forces of Australia would not be of any assistance to us in New Zealand ; but he pointed out that we were much nearer Australia than England was to the Cape. He stated Newfoundland had become practically bankrupt by not joining Canada. Since the latter had become a dominion the trade had increased tenfold. The questions were : Shall we stand out of the Australasian Federation altogether ; shall we delay doing so, or shall we join at once. The motion he had moved indicated his views, and he trusted they would, after due consideration, agree to join what was be believed, going to be the commencement of the Federation of the English speaking races of the world. Mr Gane seconded the motion. He that always considered it an anomaly to have to pay duty on goods entering another English Colony. It would undoubtedly be a gain to New Zealand to have the markets of Australia open to the farmers' produce.

Archdeacon Willis said he had followed the matter of Federation for many years, and he was sorry when New Zealand withdrew from the matter about 10 years ago. Now that Australia had federated it had altered the matter very materially, and he had now come to think that they should make haste to federate with all possible speed. British Columbia delayed joining Canada and now regretted it had done so. Though not in favour of federation at first, now that it had come, Queensland had joined. Mr Jas. Adams said Sir George Grey, when he attended the Federation Convention 10 years ago, stood out almost alone for the elections being held on the one man one vote principle, but now that had come to pass. Captain Russell, at the same convention, in 1891, admitted that in the future it would hi good for the whole of Australasia to federate. Mr Adams read some lengthy extracts from Sir George Grey's speeches at the Convention, and concluded by urging everyone present to vote for federation at the earliest opportunity.

Mr Brooks asked when the federation was to commence.

The Mayor thought a Bill muat be brought in this session to admit of a referendum being taken. Mr Boyce wished the matter further explained in order that he could give an intelligent vote. He considered it the most important vote he should give in his life, and he would like the meeting ad' journed for a fortnight. The Mayor said the important vote would be at the referendum, and Mr Boyce could rest assured the matter would be well explained before that time.

Mr Wells said he felt much encouraged by the manner in which the resolution had been received. Little had been said against it. Probably the number of our legislators would be reduced, bj&t they would still have their Governor and Parliament to attend to all matters not relegated to the Federal Parliament.

The motion was then put and unanimously agreed to. On the motion of Archdeacon Willis, seconded by Mr Adams, it was resolved to telegraph the resolution to the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, and the member for the district. It was resolved to form a local branch of the Auckland Federation League in Cambridge, with Mr Jas. Adams as Secrctaiy.

The usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.