1 Ava., 1899. ] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 219 
rail myself, but [believe in the Federal Council, and consider it the germ by which 
we might arrive at federation eventually. I do not believe in elaborate Consti- 
tutions, and consider we have quite enough of them in Australia already. 
Mr. Witrtam Bratz (Childers) : I cannot bring a single argument to my 
mind opposed to federation. So far as I understand agriculture, it is the root ~ 
and branch of any country, and the moment you get a wealthy agricultural 
population you havea wealthy country. With federation, I understand that a 
certain amount of competition would come from the south, but with our 
cheaper lands and earlier seasons I think we would be more than able to 
compete with southern farmers, while on the other hand they would be more 
than likely to be able to supply us with what we particularly want in the shape 
of good agricultural labour. At present the men who come from the south to the 
Isis district are about the most reliable, respectable, and energetic we can get. 
Mr. RK. J. Buaxe (Blenheim): I have had about 30 years’ colonial 
experience, and, looking back, remember when I landed in the country the 
talk of separation from the other colonies had not died out. The talk of the 
old hands then was that they would now be able to build up a country for 
themselves and a home for their families owing to this separation. Now, if it 
was desirable then to have separation from the other colonies on the grounds 
that this colony had not equal representation, I think it is just as needful for 
us now to remain as we are rather than become united with the other colonies. 
Mr. Deacon stated that his sons were in favour of federation, but I have 9, 
and they are all against it. Queensland is my home, and I have great faith in 
its future, and I intend to do all I can to prevent federation ever taking place. 
The majority of the delegates here who have spoken in favour of federation are in 
good positions, and will be able to compete against the southern colonies, but I 
hold that the small farmer is not in a position, and will not be able to do so. 
Mr. B.S. Arken (Gooburrum, Bundaberg): In order to bring the discussion 
to a head, I beg to move the following resolution: “That in the opinion of this 
Conference it will be to the interests of the agriculturists of Southern Queensland 
if the colony of Queensland adopts the present Commonwealth Bill.” 
_ Mr. W. Bratz (Childers) seconded the motion. 
The Hon. J. V. Cuaraway: Although the motion is not altogether 
regular, it seems to be the desire of the meeting that we should deal with it, 
and I shall accordingly put it, but before doing so would like to say a few 
words on what has been said. I may say that I entirely agree with Mr. 
Rogers in his statement that what has been discussed: to-day has rather been 
-intercolonial freetrade than the Commonwealth Bill, and I am sorry the time 
limit prevented him from somewhat expanding his remarks on that subjcet. 
There was a West Australian Minister the other day who said that, as he 
represented the agriculturists, he was against federation whatever the rest of 
his colleagues in the Cabinet thought. I think, myself, that any Minister for 
Agriculture should try as far as possible to represent the feelings of the 
agriculturists in whom he is, and must be if he is %a good Minister, personally 
interested. Your discussions here to-day will go a good way towards guiding 
the Queensland Minister for Asricultnre in the views and position which he 
will take up on the federation question. It is impossible for anyone to blink 
the fact that the large number of delegates here from the Southern part of the 
colony, with but few exceptions, are in favour of the Commonwealth Bill, so 
far as they understand it. There are many other parts of the Bill which have 
been in no way discussed at all. Probably they have made up their mind that 
the expense and cost of » Mederal Government and of the machinery that will 
be brought into play by that Hederal Government are so insignificant that the 
cost is not to be allowed for a moment to weigh against the advantages of 
intercolonial freetrade. Some speakers have said that if we did not go into 
the Federation we should probably be made to go into it by the discriminating 
duties and discriminating legislation against us. I cannot agree with that for 
amoment. Queensland is not such a small colony ; it is not so unprosperous 
or insolvent that it can be cajoled or coerced into federation by any 
