RECIPROCITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1850, 3 September 1906, Page 2

RECIPROCITY.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. ... i PROPOSALS TO BE CHALLENGED IN AUSTRALIA.

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT London, August 31. The Tall Mall Gazette says that Mtf Dcakin’s offer of substantial preference is mol conditional on any return in kind, and constitutes an important sequel to prefer* cnee between the Commonwealth and New Zealand, which brings Australia into line with the rest of the self-governing colonies for the Imperial Conference of 1907. The Standard, commenting on Mr Deakin’s suggestion that Australia should join Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand in offering gifts to the Motherland, remarks that it is impossible to believe the Motherland will long remain insensible to her • children’s love and loyalty

Sydney, August 31. The Herald says that the feeling in commercial circles in Sydney is decidedly adverse to Mr Deakin’s preference proposals. A large section of business people do not regard them seriously. Regarding the reciprocity treaty with New Zealand the impression is that Australia had very little to gain. The Daily Telegraph's Melbourne correspondent reports that to the New Zea-. land proposals there will be apparently little if any real opposition, but the British preferential scheme is sure to be criticised minutely and fought line by line. The Telegraph’s Melbourne correspondent continues: The general complaint Bmongst members is that a most inopportune time has been chosen by Government to launch its proposals on a business paper already chosen from important matters, Freetrade members of the Opposition in-, tend to oppose the increase of duties as a breach of the electoral compact of fiscal peace.

Adelaide, August 31,

The New Zealand treaty has been favor* ably received in business circles here, aa it covers articles in abundance that this State produces, and for which an. additional outlet is sought.

FDETHEK OPINIONS.

PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT Received 4 34 p.m., Sept. 2, London, Sept. 1,

The Daily Obronicle declares that tile essence of Mr Deskin’s preference pro* posals are a further instalment of protection for Australian manufactures. In most of the lines affected by the offer the great bulk of the trade is already in British hands. In return for a email and doubtful benefit Britain is asked to alter her whole fiscal system aud to tax the bulk of her trade in order to give preference to a smaller part. It is unreasonable to ask it. The prioe is out of all proportion to the benefits received. The Manohester Guardian contends that Australia gives away nothing. If there ili a colonial sacrifice there is not the faintest traoe of it.

The Globe deolares that Mr Deakin'a offer is a distinct step onwards in the oause of Imperial tariff reform, if not an offer of a concession in itself.

Ottawa, Sept. I. Canadians are disappointed at Mr Deakin’s scheme of British preference, placing products of the Dominion on the same footing as those of America.

ADVERBE OPINION OF MELBOURNE PAPERS.

PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT Received 1.4 a.m., September 3. Melbourne, September 2. xhe Age applauds preference to Britain, and looks upon the New Zealand soheme as a notable departure in the direction of Imperial unity. The treaty gives reoL prooal advantages whioh oreatea a new bond between the Commonwealth and the sister oolonv.

The Argus regards Mr Deakin’s prefer* enoe to Britain as unimportant and little S ‘ ha “ a mockery. In regard to New Zealand the paper says: ,s Oar farmers must pay in every case, and there is no owering of duties in favor of New Zaaland manufacture. New Zealand deliberately stood out of federation, and it asks why should Tasmania, whioh came n, surrender to New Zealand all the fiscal advantages gained ?”