"JOHN BULL'S" HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1744, 8 May 1913, Page 5

"JOHN BULL'S" HOUSE.

RIGHTS OF JUNIOR MEMBERS.

RECIPROCAL TRADE,

By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Kcc. May 7, 9.50 p.m.) ' London, May 7.

Jlr. Watt, Premier of Victoria, read a paper before tho Royal Colonial Institute. Sir Charles Lucas presided over a large and enthusiastic meeting.

Mr. Watt sketched the Federal Constitution, and emphasised the importance of tho maintenance of tho, States' sovereignty.

Mr. M'Bride (Minister for Mines, Victoria), Sir E. Hutton, Sir John M'Call (Agent-General for Tasmania), the Hon. Donald MacKinnon, and Mr. Jenkins (South Australia) also spoke.

' Mr. Watt, in dealing with the Commonwealth Constitution, referred to reciprocal trade. John Bull' Junior, lie said, had a right to speak freely in the Houso of John Bull Senior. Personally, he was moro than ever convinced of tho insecurity of an insular community depending on the foreigner for (two-fifths of its. food supply. Tho Dominions, Mr. Watt continued, were rich to suffocation in their productive powers, and Providence had clearly intended that they should have a partnership" in* the inter-Imperial trade. Sir Joseph. Ward declared that there were difficulties in the way'of reciprocal trade, and instanced New Zealand's efforts in 1695 in this connection with both Canada and South Africa.