FEDERATION OR AMALGAMATION.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 489, 19 September 1899, Page 3

FEDERATION OR AMALGAMATION.

TO THK EDITOR, Sir, —I noticed with surprise that ail the spoakers taking part in the Cambridge meeting were in favour of Federation. But is it Federation we are asked to embrace ? So far as I can judge. Australia has entered into a scheme of amalgamation puie and simple, or at least it will prove to be that before long. Such an issue may (and I believe will) prove one of the best things that ever happened to that Conticent ; Lut I consider it would be suicidal for New Zealand to join under the prcseut Australian Commonwealth Bill. In fact, so completely would Australia gobble us up tinker the present measure, that as a country we would cease to exist as entirely as though demolished by a volcanic eruption. To my mind, New Zealand has everything to gain by retaining her individuality, as everything we produce—even the people —are of a distinct class to Australia. Compare the people in the two countries, and it must be admitted, that on the 'average, New Zealanders are far superior to Australians, and it is generally acknowledged that any difference will become greater as time goes on. Then tak produce, which we have for export to England, and the same thing appears again, New Zealand stuff being classed about 30 per cent, better than Australian, and it will be our own fault if the quality of our produce, particularly meat and butter, is not kept far above Australian ; aB everything is in our favour—climate, water and succulent grass. Now, if we join the Commonwealth, we become an infinitesimal corner of a great country, and it follows that any good name we have for our produce in England would be sacrificed. At the present mo'.ieut Australia competes against us in London by underselling us in almost every line, and it is only the name for quality our goods have, that enables us to do business, A great deal is made of the export of about £700,000 worth of produce to Australia, but is it wise for this, to sacrifice our name in the market where we send ten times this quantity? And it is altogether problematical as to whether the advantages of being able to force our stuff on the Australian markets are very great after all, as that country is unable to take all we produce, and we should still be competing against them in London to sell the same article. It is' doubtful whether a moderate protective tariff against us would have the effect of reducing the consumption of our goods in Australia, as they aro able to grow almost everything they require, and it is those consumers only who demand extra quality, irrespective of price, who would buy our stuff. In any case it will be better by far for us to lose all our trade with Australia than to become a small corner of a country whose every aspiration must be so distinct. There can be no doubt that free trade is very desirable, but there is such a thing as sacrificing too much even for that. The Australian Commonwealth Bill was drafted to cement that continent together, and if New Zealand rushes blindly into it she will only regret it once, and that will be always. Let us wait a few years for Imperial Federation, and then we may join without losing our individuality,—l am, etc.,

J. 1). P. MORGAK Hautapu, September 14th, 1599.

Tho prevalent use of slang by all classes of the community is as astonishing as it is lamentable. Primarily it implies on the part of the speaker a poverty of Fnglish proper ; secondly, a wanton preference for the vulgar aud the inornate ; lastly, culpable indolence and want of care. You may do this with more or less impunity with language, but you cannot thus trifle with a cold or cough i for these Woods' Great Pepper mint Cure is a tried and sure remedy. Every household should possess it. Sold everywhere at Is 6cl to 2s 6d. 7