TRADE AND EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1465, 13 June 1912, Page 5

TRADE AND EMPIRE

« COMMERCIAL CONGRESS OPENS. ' BRITAIN AND THE RACE FOR SUPREMACY. > i SPEECH BY MR. ASOIUITH. ; By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright, t (Rec. Juno 12, 10.10 p.m.) London, June 12. '' The Chambers of Commerce Congress ' has been opened at the Guildhall. There 1 are three hundred delegates, including forty-two representing Australia and New Zealand. Among those present are: Sir George Reid (High Commissioner for Australia), Sir John Taverner (AgentGeneral for Victoria), Sir John M'Cali (Agent-General for Tasmania), and Mr. Jenkins (formorly Premier of South Australia, and later Agent-General for that State). Tho. Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, in welcoming the delegates on behalf of the Government, said tho periodical gathering of the Empire's commercial representatives was one of the most convincing proofs and surest safeguards of our Imperial loyalty, unity, and strength. For several years a quarter of the Motherland's imports came from the overseas Dominions and over a third of her exports went there, the aggregate trade amounting to no fewer than four hundred millions sterling. Lord Desborough, in his presidential address, gave detailed results of resolutions passed by the Sydney Congress, including those dealing with the questions of wireless telegraphy, parcels post, and cabla rates. He pointed out that it was da'ily becoming more apparent that if the Empire was to live it must consolidate in commerce as well as in defence. Great Britain a generation ago was supremo in commerce and feared in arms, but the progress-of other countries had more than threatened her supremacy in commerce and she must look to her Empire to maintain the position which she had onco held alone. Referring to tho question of Imperial defence Lord Desborough said they appreciated in Britain the spirit demonstrated in the Dominions. The Congress reaffirmed the principle of an All-Red mail route connecting great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.