FEDERATION CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 415, 11 February 1890, Page 3

FEDERATION CONFERENCE.

THE OPENING BANQUET. SPEECH BY SIB HENBY PABKES. A FULL REPORT. Melbourne, Feb. 7. The official banquet in connection with the Federation Conference was held in Parliament House last night. The Queen's hall, which waa decorated with unusual magnificence for the occasion, presented a brilliant apectaole. His Excellency the Governor, the Earl of Hopetonn, was present. The guests numbered about 200, and included the leading citizens of the colony. PREMIER BILLIES, in proposing the health of the Governor, said they had met for the purpose of ascertaining how far their hopes and aspirations justified them in believing that they were in a position to make some suggestion which would enable them to see if they were convinced that the time was ripe to unite the colonies in one great federation. If they were enabled to come to a conclusion at the present moment that the time waa ripe for appointing a convention to deal with the matter, the cause of federation would have made a vast advance in the interests of the whole of Australia and of the Old Country, for if ever occasion arose they would be only too glad to render assistance to the Empire in the capacity of United Australia. THE EARL Off HOPETOUtt’S response was excellently delivered, and was well received. It waa characterised by strong sympathy with the cause of a united Australia, but he carefully refrained from entering into any details of any probable federation scheme. He took the occasion to atrongly emphasise his beli-.f that federation', so far from weakening the bonds of the Empire,

would, as in the mss of Canada, render these under a Dominion Government more MV.I in their attachment to the Mother WKntry. This expression of opinion waa Skived with prolonged cheering, MR SCTVICT aiwje a long speech in proposing the toast of « United Australia," a largo part of which waa taken up by an explanation of tha, origin and operations of the Federal Council. In regard to this his most important remark was the distinct admission that the Federal Council had been a comparative failure. Although he did not quarrel with New South Wales for its abstention from the Council, he attributed Its non-auocess entirely to the notion of the mother colony, without whose 00-operatton success was impossible. He predicted that in the event of any federal scheme being adopted as a result of the conference, comparative failure would again be the result if any important colony refrained from co operating. One of his most emphatic declara-ion*, and one which called forth girelonged cheering, was that under federation sre must have no border Customhouses. Air Service dearly indicated that in hla opinion any scheme of federation which perpetuated the present system of provincial Protection would be a downright absurdity. He had heard nt federated Customs without a fedev rated Government, but never in the history of the world had he heard of a federated Government without uniform Customs. Border Customhouses were not only a symbol but a real harrier of separation, The people of these Oolonies would have tn be able to travel from ocean to ocean without hindrance. He ridiou'ed any suggestion of calling into existence a Federal Parliament, which should be told must with hold its hands from intarferire with the Customs tariff for Wyi amber ef years. The moment that body w«s c eated it should exercise the foil power Of a Dominion Parliament for * federated nation.

SIB H. PABKES Z>n rising to respond was greeted with demon. «• strati »e applause. He said I feel in a peculiar manner honored by being asked to respond to the toast, not on my own seeking, but upon representations of your Prime lt was at his instance I consented to undertakx l the responsibility of replying. In thia humeri world of ours, so full of wise designs and so full of human ilia, much is planned which fails. Nothing is more certain than the delusions which lead men on to neglect their opportunities. We are told, indeed, that on the eve of teriffic convulsions which shattered Boms to atoms, and startled the world, life in fashionable circles went on as usual. There was marrying and, giving in merry-making, and holding high festival, and until the hidden elements burst asunder, no one supposed they were treading upon the brink of a precipice, an abyss not closed to this day. Perhaps only the farseeing students and philosophers of history can see what is being attempted at the present moment, whilst the general people of the Australasian colonies are going on with bartering and merry-making without considering the immensity of what can only occur once in the world’s history. There cannot be two birthdays of national existence in this country. Australia, with snch ample space, with such inviting varieties of soil and climate, with such wealth hidden in its soil, and with such unrivalled richness in the soil itself, and with a people occupying the soil unequalled by any in the whole range of the human race in inventing qualities, in perseverance, and what is there impossible to them ? Calculations which I have been enabled to make show that, Including New Zealand, we only want 200.000 to make four millions of peep's. That is indeed a basis for national life; if not there never will be national life. Four millions of people, all of British origin, knitted to the soil by ties of birth, parentage, friendship, life, marriage, and the ties of children. If they are not Capable of making a nation of United Anstra- ■> why, we are not fit hardly to occupy the country. Success cannot attend '■jfcir.dustrial classes of any portion of Auswiiian territory without affecting the prosperity of the whole group. We know that when these large Colonies sprang into existence they had to fight their own 1 battles independently, but tbe time bss arrived when they are no longer isolated, struggling communities, The crimson thread of kinship

runs through us all. Even the native born Australians are Britons as much as those born in London or Newcastle. We all know the value of that British origin, and we know that we represent a race which in settling new countries never had its equal on the face of the earth. We know that the peaceful acquisition of territory accompanied by the civilisation of communities is a far more noble and immortalising achievement than any acquisition of territory accomplished by feats of arms. As separate communities we have fought onr own way. We have had ’ rivalries at times, which I daresay have degenerated Into antagonism; that is natural enough, but on the whole I don’t believe that thoughtful men in Victoria ever lost eight of the good qualities of men in New South Wales; nor that the people of the other Colonies ever lost interest in legitimate enterprise, and the fine emu'ation of the people of victoria. What may hi eaid of Victoria may also be said cf Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, end Naw Zealand. Whatever we were in 1883, to-day we are nearly four million souls. Is there a man living in any part of Australasia who will say that it will M to the advantage of the whole of the colonies to remain separated by petty animosities. with border Custom houses, and with all the fends which border Customs duties generate, until the end of time? I don't believe there is a sane man in the whois population of Australia who would say such an absurd thing. It that is admitted the question is reduced to its very limit, and it follows’that at some time or other «•» m •’» unite as one great Australasian people. Let those who are opposed to union point out any advantage to be gained by delay. Is it possible for the human intellect to conceive an advantage likely to arise from delay ? Do we not all see that delay will only make the diffieultiea cf union all the greater ? If this reason- \ ing is correct we heve now arrived at a time when we are fully justified by all the laws which regulars ths growth of free communities to units under one Government and one flag. United Australia means to ms ao separation from the Empire. (Load and eoatinunue chests,) It means to me no attempt to create some separate political ontbaMiloß. Admitting u I de that the

ful student of history what supreme head they could have more attractive, more*in to be the first object of concern and consideration, still I say that our interests must not be prompted by any rash thoughtlessness which may create separation from the grand Old Country of which we are all so proud. (Cheers.) Free ccnimuniti"s must have a guiding head, and I would ask any thought interests of the peep'e of Australasia ought consonance with the true principles of liberty, than a Sovereign under whose beneficent reign more improvements have been carried out for the amelioration of the human race than in the reign of any other Sovereign on the face of the earth ? There is no reign of any Emperor, King, or potentale of any caste or character, which includes such tremendous advantages and improvements to the whole world for the spread of Christian civilisation, and for increasing the happiness o' the masses of the human race, to such an extent as the reign of Queen Victoria, National life must be a broad river of living water. The tariff question is a mere dwarf compared with the great overshadowing question of living and eternal national existence. The warmeet advocate of Freetrade or Protect io p must after all admit' that either is to a large extent a device for carrying out humane notions, but there is no humane notion about eternal life for a free nation, What I understand by Australia is the sinking of all subordinate questions. New South Wales is prepared—and I answer for her Parliament and people—to go into thia national union without making any bargain whateve-, without stipulating for any advantage what ever to ourselves, but trusting to the good faith, intelligence, and justice of the Federal Parliament. We can answer for that great colony that it is prepared to cooperate with at least some sacrifice to bring about the great consummation we all so devoutly wish, and we pray that God will give us strength to rise above sectional strife and view the destiny of our common country in the light of future history, aod that we shall try as boat we may to join with our neighbors in trying every way to create this united Australia which you a-e in favor of as much as I am. We are trying to create it, and we trust to the future the disposal of these smaller questions which should not now have weight in arriving at a consummation, I and my colleagues come here with no preconceived notions, with no binding instructions but to enter in good faith into consultation with the ras: of ths mtmtsera, and If the gentlemen Bow representing seven colonies will rise to ifie dignity of tbp question now challenging our attention there oau bo no doubt whatever cf the result. But after all, the determination rests with the population of the colonies. Whatever may be done by Cabinet* or Conferenass, depend upon it, the quastlon has been epenad, and it will be expanded wider and wider. Light has been thrown on it. Volumes of new light will be thrown on it as the days roll on, and when the people of this country make up their minds to be united, nothing is strong enough on the face of the earth to keep them asunder, Suppose we are united Australasia, we will be ajila to command the respect nt the world as a united nation. Every colony would be better off, for by this union no injury could result, to any fair claim or honest interest, and I sm altogether in favor of losing no time in bringing about thia united Australasia, All examples in history ara in our favor, and the only diflScalties that oan ariae will come from our unfortunate separation, which all deplore. But these are difficulties which can he got rid of. And suppose our difficulties ware tea times at grsat, they should not deter us when the object is so worthy ot achievement. (Applause,) But seeing that there are no difficulties at all in things looked steadily in the face, why should we delay bringing about the union which thoughtful men, not only here, but in other parts of the world, interested in the progress of the British race, believe would redound to our credit and advantage. 0»r countrymen in tho United States arp at this movement with the keenest interest, and if the thoughtful men of Great Britain, America, and Australia look at the question in thia way, can we have a better guarantee that we are right ? Unless it oan be shown that at some stated period we shall be in a better position, I say this is the best time to bring about a united Australasia. Irrespective of the Conference I wish to make it known to the world that so long aa I have the power I shall not cease to labor to bring about this noble end. I have no doubt that this representative meeting reflects the sentiment of the colonies, and that the time has come when we ought to appear before the world as United Australasia. Upon Sir Henry rising to speak the whole company stood Up and cheered him . for several minutes. Similar demonstrations ware accorded him during the course of his speech, and when he aat down three cheers were loudly called for and most enthusiastically given. The proceedings closed with the toast of the chairman.