They only represent a phase of opinion which is liable to change, and having no sanction—no external power to enforce them, they become nullities when they cease to represent the prevailing opinion. Now, the inconveniences of which our Australian friends complain, owe their origin to conflicting legislation on the part of the different Colonies, which legislation has reference to those very matters that belong to the debateable category of political questions. They are matters of a fiscal character chiefly, though not exclusively. Differences of tariff, and those obstacles in the way of | the administration of criminal law, which are inseparable from the exist ence of a plurality of Legislatures, seem to constitute the main causes of com plaint -, and, from what we have just said, it is obvious that the only remedy is to establish a Central Legislature and Executive, to deal with all matters of common interest, leaving local affairs to be dealt with by the Legislatures of the respective Colonies. But here arises the question, would this Federal system remove the evil altogether. And, judging from our own experience, we must certainly answer in the negative. Australian Federation would be but a larger edition of New Zealand Provincialism ; and the_ lesson which the latter has taught us is, that so long as there is sub-divis ion of the legislative function, there will be conflicting legislation ; and that the only effectual remedy for that evil is the consolidation of the legislative powers. Legislative Centralization and Administrative Localization must, we think, go together ; and therefore we can only believe in Australian Feder ation as a step towards the absolute consolidation of the Australian Col onies into one State. Indeed it appears to tis that, apart from our own ex perience, the a priori considerations which we have suggested, point to con- | solidation as the true remedy for Aus tralian difficulties. And therefore we do not think that New Zealand can I ever become a member of any such Federal union as that which is pro posed. 