COMMERCECONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 615, 18 September 1909, Page 5

COMMERCECONGRESS

STATE-OWNED CABLES. ' IMPERIAL IMMIGRATION POLICY. AN ADVISORY COUNCIL. ■; Sydney, September 17. The Concress of the. Chambers of Commerce of tho Empire to-day adopted the 1 following motion by Mr. Peate (Leeds): — "That the youth of the Empire should iini- ' vcrsally undergo such a course of training 1 in discipline and arms as, without .undue in- ■ terferenco with industrial employment, will fit them to take part in tho Empire's i defence." . ■:'■,..-. The Congress also passed a, resolution in favour of reducing to the lowest- possiblo level the parcel post rates between Britain , and .tho colonies. . Commercial Travellers' Grievances. A resolution was carried in.favour of the abolition of. taxation placed by certain colonies' upon commercial travellers for British-made goods. Mr. Dixon (Sheffield) moved that the system in force in West . Australia, South • Australia, and New Zealand of charging income-tax upon British commercial travellers and agents was prejudicial to British trade, and should be removed. Soveral .Australian delegates, and Mr Harkness, of Wellington, spoke against tho motion. ■ ' ■ N (Bee.' September 17, 11.30 p.m.) ■The Congress resolved that duty paid in the colonies on commercial travellers' samples should bo refunded on the traveller's , departure, if. ho departs within twelvo months. , . r , A. motion to abolish duties imposed by certai ncolonies on the importation of trade catalogues and, price lists was withdrawn. The discussion is proceeding. ' Mr.-Ames (Montreal) moved in favour of the appointment of i an ' Advisory Imperial Council to consider questions of. Imperial interest, especially those tending to promote trade between tho' various parts of tho Empire. . . An 'interesting, debate followed. Messrs. Knox (Melbourne), Coclsshutt (Canada), and Jenkins (Adelaide) supported tho proposal. Sir Albert Spicer (president), whilo' not, opposing the motion, suggested that an Imperial Consultative • Council of Commerce, holding periodical sittings in different parts of tho Empire, would be preferable to a permanent .body;, ,;! The motion was carried. Immigration—Australia's Attitude. (Rec. September 17, IOHO p.m.) , ' Sir Albert Spicer moved a resolution urging the Homo and colonial Governments to consider what further or bettor steps than at present exist should be taken to elaborate a general State-aided • schemo at reduced rates to encourage the emigration of suitablo settlers from-Britain to British Dominions. Tho mover said that if those of them who had comofromtho Mother Country were not misinformed, tiere were powerful • parties in some of the States of the -pommonwealth who, so far from desiring immigrants, seel; to curb the inflow of netr ' settlers. That. waa an attitude he could understand if any of the Australian States were approximately peopled up to their full capacity. "Australia , for Australians in iits absolute sense represents, limited'-'ambitions; it. forebodes the possibility ■) of ■'• future enervations." r He would rather sec Australia , for ■ Australians and Britons, a whole-hearted welcome to "now chums," a determination to make the follest use of thosa natural resources wife which tho Commonwealth was so richly endowed. To Canada must bo awarded the paint of having.' offered ■ ■ tho most generous attractions to British .immigrants. -The result was seen in the nine-fold growth of the streams of immigrants to Canada in fourteen' years. ,When Australia borrowed most; for reproductive works she had moro attractions , for British, immigrants;,,so, .when sho. tern-, , porarily retired as.a borrower,' the' stream .$. . immigration became sluggish.•,- Canada,- on' tho othor hand, had digested heavy amounts of British capital, while- in 190G it was estiniated that, not less than 40 millions were ' invested in corporation and industrial, ininterests in Canada;. As tho flow of capital gathored in ; strength, so the tide of immigration had risen. . lr "-." ■ ■. Mr." P; ■ Barr (Dunedin)'-. supported the motion: The only alternative to, ertfoupginp; immigration. was .to see .' themselves, in the. course- of tho next ten years,. working for cither Japanese V>r German employers. ■' •' \ The. motion was carried. ■■;, •■-,;.';' '.;.■'.•;,,' r Falsa] Description of Goods..\.,',.',' ... The Congress carried the follGmng motions :— •...--.-;. . That tho colonies bo requested to prohibit tho entry of goods not of British origin, but bearing falso marks to ,indicate that they were of such origin, and that the British Government be a-skod to introduce a protective clause in all commercial teraties with this object., ■■ ■ • ' ■ ■ ■ That there should be a uniform system of weights and measures throughout the Empire. -..''.' . ' . That steps should bo taken to have a State-owned; cfible between Britain and Canada, and that endeavour's bo made to obtain a substantial reduction of cablo rates, especially press rates.' . ..''.. ■ That tho various Governments should take steps to ; havb judgments made enforceable throughout the Empire ) That'there should be a uniform form of declaration of the placo of origin and the value of-goods. ' Conciliation and Arbitration. That' the Congress' reaffirms its .previous resolution in favour of tho formation of conciliation and arbitration boards' in trade disputes. '■■■-.■ •'■ '. ~',■'. 'That the Governments be requested to limit tho size of wheat bags so as to contain 200 pounds. • That all the colonies should have jurisdiction to legislate on copyright suited "to. their respective dominions. '' That' a light-house- be established at Cocos Island (in tho Indian Ocean) at the joint expenso of the Imperial, Indian, Ceylon, ■ and Commonwealth Governments. : •.■:■,' \ On the motion of Mr. Smith (Invercaxgill) it was resolved that a lighthouse should be erected on The Snare 3, to be maintained by Australia and New Zealand. BANQUET TO DELECATES. . ME DEAKIN ON PREFERENCE. ■ ■ ' Sydney, Soptember'l7. The delegates to the Commercial Congress I were entertiked at o banquet in the Town Hall.- There was a brilliant gathering, including the Earl of Dudley (Governor-General ■ of the Commonwealth), Lord Chelmsford (Governor of New South Wales); and Mr. 1 Dealrin, Federal Premier. Lord Dudley, said the occurrence of the Imperial Defence, Press and Commoroo Conferences within a few months illustrated the . rapid march of evente towards a larger ; measure of. Imperial.. unity and stability. ; Dealing with tho necessity of consolidating . and strengthening tho industrial and commer- . rial forces 'of tho Empire, Lord Dudley de- ; clared that in the, future struggle for commerciar supremacy, Britain could not find any resting-place ia the achievements of tho past. To stand still, or even to advance slowly, waa to invite defeat. Mr. Doakin, in brilliant academical speech, dealing with, the importance of the Congress, and of tho commercial and producing interests to the Empire's development, said Britain had a groat commerce—let them share and strengthen it. It was to the commercial and producing interests that ho looked for the building up of the Empire, especially this portion of it. Itoferring to the preference resolutions adopted by the Conpiess ,tho 'speaker said if the (M Country found that it had notbeen going on lines best adapted to ~ tho rest of the Empire, ho was suro it would find lines more suitable. From the spirit displayed at the meetings held during the week, ho believed they would ultimately coiiie to a conclusion satisfactory to all. .- -.-.- .