THE AUSTRALIAN STATES.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VII, Issue 2, 1 November 1902, Page 158

THE AUSTRALIAN STATES.

New Zealand has only once had occasion to thank her stars that she did not join the Australian Federation when invited to do so by her sister colony. That once is ever since. When time and experience grease the wheels and reduce the friction, Federation will, doubtless, be a thing to be much desired in Australia, but it would not have suited New Zealand. Experience must be costly, and it is always better to learn at your neighbour's expense than at your own. So far there has been very considerable dissatisfaction in many of the States. The Federal tariff, as might he expected, proved one of the principal bones of contention. How it will work now it has become law remains to be proved, but if length and vigour of debate go for anything, the manner in which every detail was thrashed out should have insured a fairly workable, result. After all, the wranglings of the different States over questions connected with Federal government practically go to prove the great need that existed for a system which would cause a community of interests and a united Australia.