[published dailt.] FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1904. AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION A FAILURE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11422, 2 December 1904, Page 4

[published dailt.] FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1904. AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION A FAILURE.

If -we are to judge l>y tlie dissatisfaction generally expressed by the federated" States of Australia, New Zealanders have cause to be thankful that this colony did not join the Federation. When the late Sir John Hall aud Captain Eussell, the chosen representatives of New Zealand at tho first Sydney Convention held to discuss the question of Federation, returned to tho colony the former expressed the opinion that there were 1200 objections — these being the number of miles separating New Zealand from Australia — to tho colony throwing in her lot with, the several States of Australia, and time has proved that there are other than the 1200 objections then raised. It -was said by those who advocated closer union that our interests were indissolubly bound up with 'Australian Federation, that we had most to gain and nothing to lose, and that a condition of isolation would become one. of infinite peril, involving our producers and manufacturers' in tremendous disabilities, dwarfing our intercolonial" trade and commerce, and inflicting enormous injury upon our people- .The late Sir .John Hall," •the lato"Mrt-Roiieston,-".and other .NewZealand statesmen who opposed" Federation, argued that by joining Australia we would to a large extent lose our individuality and our independence as a separate nation or colony; that we would have to give up our liberty. to manage our own affairs and submit to receivers collecting our Customs and excise; that the seat of government being constituted at such a distance was a serious objection, and that our united weight would be of little avail against the Australian vote — Australia having five times the population of New Zealand. There are few now, we think, who would contend that we have lost anything by not joining Australia; on the other hand, it would not be difficult to prove that we have been decided gainers by standing aloof.' The Australian Press, which has hitherto been sanguine as to the ultimate success of the union, is now beginning to acknowledge that so far ifc has been a fiasco, and the immediate outlook is anything but reassuring. When a journal like the Melbourne — rgus, which so enthusiastically forwarded the Federal movement,- is found- expressing its disappointment, the situation ■ can" be readily understood. Mr Bruce Smith frankly asserted in the House of •Representatives recently that if another poll of -the people were taken it would show that there was ah enormous majority against Federation. "While this view is probably exaggerated, and most of the electors would bo in favour of giving Federation a further trial before reversing what has been done," says the Argus, "it must be freely conceded that Federation has not justified itself in the eyes of the people." Tho States, instead of being reconciled, have increased distrust and suspicion of one another, approaching to hostility. "Unhappily the Federation, .which has disappointed the people of Australia and estranged the State Parliaments, has not recommended itself abroad. Every visitor of importance who returns from Great Britain — from Mr Henry Copeland, the late vigorous and outspoken Agent-General of New South Wales, to Mr Eichard Teece, general manager of the "Australian Mxitual Provident Society — tells the same story of .the indifference or aloofness . of the people at' Home towards Australia and, Australian doings. Canada has managed to commend itself to favotir, and is attracting' a large number of British emigrants of every class" Atistralia needs." Expectations respecting the results of. Federation were no doubt too high, but making duo allowance for the limitpd powers of the Commonwealth Parliament, "it canrtot be said that Federation has fulfilled th© reasonable cxpectatious of its friends — expectations founded on knowledge and sobered by experience. It was hoped, for instance, that tho Federal Government would be stable, as had been the experience in Canada, and that the fierce spirit of party would be almost unknown in Parliament. As a matter of fact, party spirit runs riot, and there have been four Governnients-in as many years. The fourth one holds office on an insecure tenure, and is assailed daily "by a rancorous Opposi-

tion, which uses the obstruction of public business as one of its acknowledged weapons. Again, it was expected that the Parliament would devote it&lf to doing the important things which 'the Stated singly could not do; leaving thc^States unhampered in their own domain. ' Instead, the Federation is constantly endeavouring to encroach on State rights, and ilbglecting Federal work. D-sfcnce was one of the primary objects of Federation, yet tho Parliament, in spite of constant grave warnings, has left our troops practically unarmed, and is now proceeding to .tear up the careful work which has been .done in the- way of organisation. Consolidation of the debts and large savings of. interest were expected as a result of the confidence tho. Federation would inspire as compared with the States. But the confidence on which such high finance must be based has not been fostered — on the contrary, it lias Leon, constantly discouraged — and the prospect of successful Federal action grows more remote as the years pass. The economies reasonably anticipated from 'Federation have all proved illusory. The-govern-ment :of Australia costs far more to-day than it did. in the pre-Federation days. Instead of an economy, Federation has proved an additional incubus*. The energy which it was cypected would be applied to such great ends as those above-mentioned has been expended in running -after extraneous purposes, which . have pilM up expenses at home and reduced • confidence and provoked resentment abroad." -^ '.?«.*-