FEDERATION. ENGLISH OPINIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2744, 13 February 1890, Page 2

FEDERATION. ENGLISH OPINIONS.

[BY KLBTRIC TELEGRAPH— COPYRIGHT.] London, February 9. The Pall Mali Gazette says Sir Henry Parkes' term " crimson thread" will become equally memorable with that of the " silver streak" as applied to the English Channel. The St James' Gazette thinks Sir Henry Parkes' speech in support of his hobby was eloquent and unselfish, because it is unlikely, that Sydney will become the capital of Australia, or Parkes himself the Premier of the future Dominion. The Spectator says Sir Charles Dilke in his recently-published book has pricked the glittering bubble o£ Imperial federation. A. brotherlike alliance between England and her colonies will ensue, which will ultimately include America. The Daily News thinks that the present is the time for federation. A quarter of a century hence existent interests may intervene which will make it impossible. The Economist is of opinion the tariff question should be primarily settled. That disposed of, it may be possible to postpone the allocation of the public debt of the colonies. February 11. The Times, in an article on the Australian Federation conference, deplores the illness of Sir Henry Parkes, who it says, is the most commanding figure in Australian politics. The tariff, it says, is the most formidable lion in the path of federation, and it considers that Mr Service is already correct in his opinion, that there can be no national unity without a nniforra tariff. The Times goes on to say that if the conference only agrees in common 'regarding the army and navy much will have been gained, and complete federation may be arranged later on, and further, if the magisficient project of Imperial federation is to emerge from dreamland, it must be through the federation of groups. Melbourne, February 12. It is understood that the portion of the sitting of the Conference conducted with closed doors yesterday was devoted to the consideration of the position of New Zealand in relation to the other colonies. The representatives, whilst unwilling to commit the colony to Federation, urged that the colony should be represented at the Convention, and that the basis of Federation should be such as would permit New Zealand and Fiji entering at some future time, should they find it desirable to do so.

Mr Deakin gave notice that he would move the following resolution : —(1). That the members of this conference take such steps as are deemed necessary to induce legislators of the respective colonies to appoint delegates for a national convention empowered to consider and report on an adequate scheme of federal constitution; (2). The convention should consist of seven members from each of the selfgoverning colonies. A third clause has reference to bolstering up the Federation Council in the interim, and is similar to Mr Deakins' previons notice.