TARIFFS AND TREATIES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1157, 19 June 1911, Page 5

TARIFFS AND TREATIES.

FREEDOM OF THE DOMINIONS, MOTION AGREED TO. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, moved in order to relievo Canada of the obligations imposed by certain Imperial commercial treaties with foreign Powers :— "That (his Conference request the Imperial Government to negotiate with such Towers as may bo necessary to relieve the Dominions desiring it from the operation of the commercial treaties with thoso Powers, without removing the application of tho treaties from the rest of the Umpire." Sir Wilfrid Laurier said that Australia's experience when she wished to give preference to British goods in British ships and was prevented by the most favoured nation clause, showed tho necessity of such a proposal. Canada was faced, by similar difficulty in giving preference. It had been suggested that his proposal would destroy the principle of commercial unity, but the principle had not existed. The Motherland had Free-trade; the Dominions had tariffs, and no two tariffs agreed. Commercial diversity existed instead of commercial unity. It was not difficult to understand that when Britain mado a treaty to suit her own requirements such a treaty might not suit the Dominions. His idea would bring tho old treaties into line with tho newer ones. The proposal should be coupled with three principles—Firstly, it should be the Dominions' first effort to develop trade as far as possible with the Motherland. Secondly, they should not confine their efforts to tho British markets, but should be allowed as their second object to increase the trade with other nations. Thirdly, any benefits given by the Dominions to the other nations should ic given to the Motherland and tho other Dominions. Mr. Fisher, Federal Prime Minister, said Sir Wilfrid Laurier's arguments commended themselves to tho Commonwealth. The Dominions appreciated tho difficulties, and strongly wished, without embarrassing the Homo Government, to have the treaties modified in tho way proposed.

Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister of New Zealand), Sir Edward Morris (Prime Minister of Newfoundland), and General Botha supported the proposal. Sir Edward Grey said he could n:cept tho resolution. He realised that the old treaties, not containing tho option of the newer, must sometimes embarrass the Dominions. Questions were raised with Italy in response to the Commonwealth request, and a reply had been received that it would bo necessary to denounce the existing and negotiate a new treaty. If that attitudo was generally adopted it would be convenient to denounce tho old before tho now agreement was secured. The case might bo met by pgrocintr to open negotiations for modifications, and if that failed tho best way would be to negotiate for new treaties without denouncing tho old. He accepted the resolution on that understanding. Tho motion was then adopted. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS, SHIPPING COMBINES. (Ecc. June 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, Juno 17. The Conference on Friday afternoon discussed tho following South African motion :— That concerted action be taken by all Governments of the Empire to promote better trade and postal communications between Great Britain and the Overseas Dominions, and in particular to discourage shipping conferences or combines for tho control of freight rates between the various portions of tho Empire. Mr. Graff, South African Minister for Public Works, in explaining the motion instanced the excessive ocean freights to South Africa as compared with those ruling between Britain and Australia. The Union, he said, wns determined to establish an open freight market. The Conference approved a motion in favour of Imperial postal orders. It rediscussed tho question of the enforcement of commercial arbitration awards throughout tho Empire.

A sub-committee from the Imperial Conference conferred with the War Offico on defenco details. The result will at an early date be submitted to the full Conference. MINISTERS' MOVEMENTS. ON THE HOMEWARD TRACK. (Rcc. Juno 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 17. The following movements of tho Dominion Ministers aro announced:— General Botha starts for Kissingen, Germany, on July 13; Sir Wilfrid Laurier sails for Canada on July 1; Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and Dr. Findlay will join the Euapehu at Marseilles (sic). SIR JOSErH WARD INJURED. (Rec, Juno 18, 5.5 p.m.)' London, Juno 10. Sir Joseph Ward was proceeding to tho Imperial Confercnco sitting to-day when the hood of his motor collapsed, cutting his face slightly. After the wound had been dressed and attended to Sir Joseph Ward attended tho Conference. OVERSEA VISITORS. AUSTRALIAN OFFICE BUILDING. London, June IG. ™r. Batclielor (Federal Minister for External Affairs) and twenty members of tho Federal Parliament inspected sites in Trafalgar Square, tho Strand, and other parts of London, which are thought to lie more or less suitable for Commonwealth offices. Almost all were in agreement as to tho suitability of tho Strand site.

The States Premiers have agreed to recommend their respectivo Governments to combino in contralising tho States' offices in ono Australian building.

QUEENSLAND DINNER. London, Juno IG. Tho Queensland annual dinner was largely attended. Speeches delivered by Mr. Fisher (Primo Minister of Australia) and others dealt with the development of Queensland. SPEECH BY SIR JOHN FORREST. London, January 10. Speaking at tho Fishmongers' Guild banquet, Sir John Forrest (ox-Federal Treasurer) declared that he disliked tho idea of separato fleets; he preferred ono Empire and one fleet. They must, ho said, tako care that there was no question about standing together when trouble arose. COLONIAL INSTITUTE FUNCTION. (Rec. June 19, 0.15 a.m.) London, Juno 18. Tho Colonial Institute gavo a convcrsaziono yesterday, which was attended by the Duke of Marlborough, Mr. Harcourt, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, Mr. S. Buxton (President of tho Board of Trade), Sir Rufus Isaacs (At-torney-General/, and many Indians and Australians,