SIR JOSEPH WALTON

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1873, 6 October 1913, Page 11

SIR JOSEPH WALTON

SPEECH ON EMPIRE'S TRADE. (Bt Taleerach—Proes Aiaootatlon.) Chrlstohurch, October 6. Sir Joseph Walton, of the British House of Commons, was entertained at luncheon, yesterday by tho Mayor, as president of the Overseas Club. In responso to the toast of his health, Sir Joseph Walton made an interesting speech which was characterised by an Imperialistic spirit. Ho said that his mission in life had been to extend Imperial trade, and, with that object, ho had repeatedly visited Canada, and also India, Africa, and other countries. Ho had noted that great expansions had been brought about by railways, especially in Canada, and, where the main trunk lines had not paid, feeder lines had been very useful. In China, Britain should havo its fair share in the opening' up of now traots of that country by the construction of railways. In addition to railway construction, immigration had had a notable influence, and, in that respect, he could congratulate tho peoplo of Australasia on the work which was being dono. It was only the vigorous and enterprising class who went across tho seas to settlo these colonies, and it was not surprising that developments wero taking placo rapidly here. _ At the samo time, tho Old Country still retained its vigour. It arranged its fiscal system to suit its own ideas, and it conceded tho samo right to the Empire's dependencies. The people at Home highly appreciated tho fact tliat Now Zealand charged a lower import duty on. British goods than on foreign goods. Thq general outlook at present was a. splendid one. Tho alterations in the American tariff were a tribute to the wisdom of the policy of the United Kingdom of admitting foodstuffs freo. The prospects before Now Zealand farmers • wore particularly bright. It cost the colonial farmer only -Jd. a pound to' place his butter on the London market—less than it cost the average farmer of the United Kingdom. Ho was, specially interested in New Zealand's legislation, becauso ho was in favour of giving the franchise to women. Ho came here to obtain a little knowledge of the people and their ideas. Now Zealand was dealing with many problems which were also being dealt with at Home, and tho legislative experiments hero wore therefore very useful.