FEDERATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 23, 6 March 1891, Page 17

FEDERATION.

HE Federation Convention has been opened at Sydney with great eclat. If we may judge from what has so far transpired, there is perfect unanimity as to the desirableness of the union proposed, and all that remains for settlement is the question of details. This question, however, is an important one, involving many interests, and a long and difficult discussion may be necessary before it is finally settled. But as to the desirableness for an Australian fedeiation, it is palpable, and it would hardly seem that two opinions could prevail concerning it. Divided but contiguous States of kindred peoples — inspired by the same sentiments, speaking the same language, and ruled by the same laws, must necessarily be an anomaly — more especially since their division must prevent their possessing one of the first, if not the very first of all, requisites for independent existence — that is strength. Indeed a circumstance attending on the opening of the convention in itself seems to point to the gt eater degree of independence to be acquired by the union, — that is, perhaps rather paradoxically, — the enthusiastic singing of the National Anthem. This was done, as we are given to understand, by way of a protest against federation's mean-

ing, in any manner, a lessening of loyalty to the Imperial Crown. — If the colonies existing separately and thrown on their own resources, then, were found more loyal, it appears to be tacitly acknowledged that their loyalty might be attributed to a sense of weakness. We do not, however, affirm that such is the case, or that when federated as true an allegiance to the Imperial tie will not obtain. Meantime, with respect to New Zealand it is agreed that the time has not come for the formation of the proposed union. No doubt a general agreement exists that our broader interests are at one with those of the neighbouring colonies. We are of their flesh and bone, and it would be impossible for us to contemplate any material division from them. We have no intention that the " silver streak " of the ocean, even though wider by far, should mark such a division as has been similarly marked, with miserable results, elsewhere. Details, however, for the present at least, can be less easily settled, and the time for union, though in the certain future, has not yet arrived. Australian federation, indeed, can be only preliminary to that of all Australasia ; and, although we fear that a federation of the English-speaking races, such as that Sir George Grey desires to see, may prove, if not impossible, at least so remote as to be beyond the reach of all calculation, we look forward to the time at which the federation of the Empire generally will be an accomplished fact. Without this tie, indeed, the federated States of the Pacific must remain less advantageously situated and compact — not to speak of the regular and established coalition necessary jbr them in case of war. If the islands, for instance, whose union or annexation to these colonies is necessary for our complete safety and prosperity, are ever to be brought within the needful bonds and retained there, it can only be by means of the Imperial influence that this will be done. The subject, however, is a large one, and to deal with it exhaustively much consideration and voluminous expression would be required. For the moment it merely remains for us to wish success to the Convention now assembled at Sydney, with the hope that their conference may result in measures calculated, not only to provide for the immediate advancement of Australia herself, but to form the nucleus of the greater union necessary to perfect the prosperity and greatness of the British colonies in these Southern seas.