"A BARRED DOOR."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1056, 20 February 1911, Page 5

"A BARRED DOOR."

j LIBERALS AND PREFERENCE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE ORDER PAPER. LONDON PRESS COMMENTS. By Tcleeraph—Press Associatlon—CopyrlEhti (Rec; February.l 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 18. 1 "The Times," in a leading nrticlo on tho Imperial Conference, says that whiio Australia and New Zealand have suggested a number of subjects for discussion, and South Africa half ns many, Canada does not consider aiiy question of sufficient urgency for suggestion. ''Tho Times" adds, that Imperial preference, in which Canada is keenly interested,, has been barred ns a topic of discussion, thougfi South Africa had originally proposed it. Hitherto this subject had been a prominent featuro at the conferences. Resolutions, dealing with inter-Imperial Veciprocity' were moved by Australia, New Zealand, and Capo Colony, and wero supported by nil tho ■ other portions of tho Empire represented, but, tho door had been banged, bolted, and barred by Messrs. Asquith, Lloyd-George, , and Churchill. These gentlemen,wcre still in control of the situation, and it. was not surprising that tho Dominions would not expose themselves to another rebuff., Canada had emphasised her hopelessness by seeking elsewhere what she vainly sought at tho conferences. Mr. Asquith's argument at . the last conference, continues "The, Times," was that the Motherland returned tho preferences granted to British trade by the Dominions by bearing tho cost of defending the Dominions. South Africa nowintended to reply, "Wo relieve you of defence, and take back our preferences." "Tho Times" also urges that tho employment created by preference is. not compensated for by a payment through tho Exchequer. It declares that the . spirit of preference has not been banished from the conference. Australia keeps the torch Might,' for its suggestions were placed at the head-of tho list of subjects it submitted. The Colonial Office, howover, placed them low down on the.agenda paper... The article also comments on. Now Zca-'| land's desire for an open conference. A Blank, Sullen Veto,' Tho "Pall Mall Gazetto" (Tariff Reform) declares that tho conferenco agenda paper shows how'tho heart has been taken out of tho institution by the blauk, sullen veto which has confronted the chief aspirations of the Dominions,-who havo apparently decided to let Cobdenism stew in its own juice, and discontinue knocking at tho door which has been barred with so much animus. • " A .Liberal View. • The "Westminster Gazetto" (Freetrade) holds it a fact of great importance that preforenco is not figuring on the agenda, but it asks if 1 any, serious man following tho course of colonial affairs since, tho last conference believes that if* tho Dominions thought, preference vital to the Empiro they would not includo it in tho agenda'paper, and liuvo it out with tho cruel stepmothoV. It does not suppose that tho colonial Premiers would have suppressed tho expression of tho senso of wrong which;'"rifciording ,to tariff reformers, animates the Dominions.' It is moro than probablo that tho idoa of obtaining' Jpreferenco v played; a ' much pmaller part in the politics of tho Dominions thail Tariff Reformers think. 'Status of the Dominions. The "Daily Mail" says the most interesting proposals, for, consideration. , at tho Imperial Conference nro thoso by New Zealand for the raising of tho political status of tho; Dominions. in accordance vritii their Tapid development. Tho necessity of consulting tho Domiuions on foreign affairs,, tho writer adds, has been emphasised' by. tho Australian protest against tho Declaration of London. AUSTRALIA'S ATTITUDE, SIR GEORGE REID INTERVIEWED. (Rec. February 19, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 18.Sir. George Roid, High Commissioner for Australia, in an interview, states that the present Australian preference is of substantial value to tho llotherland. Australia thorebjr surrenders revenue worth a million. Australians, Sir Georgo lfeid states, favour tho policy, but mnko no deniaud of any kind, as they feel very strongly. that tho Motherland must decido in what'direction its advnntago lies.The trend of, Australian opinion,is, that if preference proved a,.beneficial policy to the Motherland 'then . Australia . .would gladly enter into , it;,with . her. ; It must bo .remembered, however, that Australia's; policy was now Protection, and it was absurd to expect that .sbo would under auy system of mutual preference destroy her young industries or allow them to be destroyed. Such an expectation would be idle, but' Australia had proved that she could givo a substantial preference without any quid pro quo, but purely as a matter of sentiment. . . ' I cannot concoivo of a healthier stato of loyalty," added Sir George,"than that li hich ,oxists on sentiment,, which'is sometimes stronger than moro material bonds, which may chafe as well as unite. The present harmony is so. wonderful that a heavy onus is placed on him who would improve it by. new methods, though evolution of some kind is certain." NO CANADIAN PROPOSALS. BUT WILL DISCUSS ANYTHING. London, February 17. •A Blue Book, regarding the Imporial Conference soys that Canada will bring forward no resolutions,' but is prepared to discuss anything.