COMMERCE CONGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1808, 14 July 1906, Page 3

COMMERCE CONGRESS.

PREFERENIIA L TRADE.

By telegraph. Press Asß’n, Copyright London, July 13

At the Chambers of Commerce Congress, Mr Percy McArthur, of Sy'dney, stated that many Australians had suspended judgment, net quite knowing what preferential trade meant, and also being reluctant to assont to any course inimical or distasteful to tbe Motherland, The Standard asserts that the no* table resolution of the Congress was an opportune and signal demonstration which represents the voice of the Empire. The Daily Nows says: By painting Freetraders as anti-colouists Mr Chamberlain is doing his best to create coldness between the various parts of the Empire. A majority of the Congress voted to hold a meeting in 1909 in Australia The final decision was referred to the associated Chambers of Canada and Britain.

The Chambers of Commerce supporting the rosolution included the representatives of Blackburn, Bristol, Derby, Dublin, Dundoe, Croydon, Halifax, Leith, Nottingham, Sheffield, Swansea, Madras, and Walsall. Those voting against included Barnaby, Bradford, Manchester, Fordham, r underland, York, Bengal, and Born-* bay. The neutralists included: London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, Warrington.

Melbourne, July 18. Mr Deakia regards tho preferential trade resolution at the Commerce Congress as tho most important move since Mr , Chamberlain’s speech at Birmingham Preferential trade, he said, was steadily growing through all the vicissitudes which affect different administrations of the Mother Country and her dominions. Reciprocal concessions between South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand were nearly ripe for handliag. They would con • stitute a distinct advance in the movement.

Adelbide, July 13- : In connection with tho resolution of the Cotomeree Congress, favoring preferential trade, eo instructions were given the Adelaide representatives, and they therefore spoke and voted in their owa behalf, and could not bind the Adelaide Chamber.