THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2069, 2 May 1907, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Press Association. —Copyright.

LONDON, April 30. Mr. Asquith, Mr. Lloyd George and a dozen Treasury, Board of Tr and India Office officials were Present at the preferential trade difaCUbsion at the Imperial Conference. Lord Elgin invited Mr. Dorian to open the discussion. Mr. Deakm thought Sir Wilfrid Laurier might like to say a lew preliminary wor s. Sir Wilfrid Laurier made a short statement, explaining tliut Canada had actually given preference to tlio Motherland, and now awaited some action on the part of the Motherland. He intimated his intention to move a reaffirmation of the preference re-, solutions carried at the conference of /-v/ao l-ir* unrlorstoocl Austrului

1902, though he undeistoou proposed similar action. Mr. Deakin remarked that Australia’s resolutions referred to an explicit request for preference from the Motherland. Mr. Deakin was speaking when the conference adjourned to attend a luncheon given by tlio colonial-born members of tlio Houso of Commons. Received May 1, 10.10 p.m.

XVUijyivuu - Mr Deakin said that- from tlio fust inception of the Colomal Conference tlio possibility of more intimate trade relations between the Motherland and the colonies by means of Customs or a Customs Union had been in the minds of representatives. He quoted Loid ia is bury’s remarks at the opening o the Conference of 1887, and the debate following on Sir Samuel Giifitlis’ direct appeal for preferential tiade within the Empire. Ho also cited the late Mr. Service a remarks that the whole subject must be deal with widely by the Imperial anthon- , • _ r Kf.nndDoiiit; ofr penna-

ties from tne A , nent' unity of the-Empire. Such remarks from Freetraders were significant, He recapitulated his comments on the same occasion, that Sir Samuel Griffiths’s and Mr. Hofmey er’s ideas suggested the best if no the only means available t°_brmg the Empire closer together. He dealt at some length with Mr Holmeyer• s proposals in 1887, and also his warning at the Ottawa Conference of the danger of neglecting his advice. Mr Deakin read a resolution in favor of reciprocity with the colonies passed in 1894 and repeated in 1897 and 1902. He dwelt on the advance mad in each period, and quoted Mr. Balfour’s reply to a deputation in 1904 when he stated that the.present Conference was summoned for the P pose of considering the possibility of closer and better trade relations. Mr Deakin disclaimed any intention of touching British politics. It was only advisable to notice the appeal which the British Commoners made to the electors of the Commonwealth in June, 1906, to resent preference because it meant a tax on food. Ihat appeal had been rejected by a majority of three to one at the recent Australian election. . Mr. Deakin said be recognised, though a strong difference of opinion existed on this question, that the opponents were not lacking m goodwil . He admitted the question must be dealt' with as a matter of business All the world over trade was sought and fought for. Australia proposed preference, believing it would cause an increase of trade within the Empire, which would lead to the development of her resources ai>. the building up of the dominions beyond the seas. They were the Motherland’s best customers, and must always remain a part of the same Empire. This was the political motive to bo kept in mind —Britain constituted the world’s best market even if preference were granted by the colonies, and with the duties levied on foreigners it would still remain the best market for foreigners. The best of the high duties levied elsewhere was that no other country enjoyed such opportunities for assisting its dominions as Britain. Its purchasing power gave it enormous authority. The seller was the courtier, the buyer was the king. Ho recognised that it was the first duty of the British Parliament to consider British interests. If it chose to protect its industries- and to revive those which had decayed in the colonies, it could take no possible exception to what Australia proposed. It was after Britain had studied her local interest that she should make arrangements for the mutual benefit of both so that the best should bo done, looking at each proposal critically in a. business light as Sir Edward Laws had done in his memorandum to Lord Curzon in 1904. They ought to consider liow far it was possible for several units of a political whole to assist each other. He dwelt on tlio importance of keeping the Empire together by resorting to every opportunity which would assist its consolidation. Ho urged that greater co-operation was necessary to the Empire’s continued existence. It was not intended to dictate to any self-governing communities but they should negotiate freely for an equal scheme of mutual advantage. Australia asked for no concession which she was not prepared to reciprocate. He quoted Mr. J. Holt

Schoolings’s statistics showing the great decline' in the proportion of British exports, particularly to Australia, Canada and India, the Cape and the Straits Settlements. Mr.

Schoolings showed that a large continuous fall occurred in the United Kingdom’s share of the Australian market during the last decade. Britain’s share had fallen to £GI 3-10 pounds per hundred. Britain was

dosing her place as a seller in the markets of her colonies. This resulted not from, any serious diminution of trade caused by the development of Australian industries, hut was contemporaneous with a substantial increase in combined trade. Mr. Deakin proceeded to give a detailed analysis of the fluctuation of Australian trade and the extent it had been conquered by foreign goods, much of which was carried in subsidised ships. He aroused much interest by showing the treatment accorded to Australian meat and deairy produce in Germany, besides the prohibitive duties and other restrictive demands enforced with a view to absolutely stopping tragic. There were similar difficulties in France and Africa and Sweden were likely to act in the same way except where raw material was required. It was stated that there was no trade in frozen meat with Europe except in England but he instanced Denmark’s receiving a great advantage, especially from the low English railway rates for her dairy produce. The effect ol these foreign restrictions wqs that foreign markets were being closed against Australia, jvhile in the English market she had to compete with exports from the very countries which received the same free access as Australia enjoyed. Australia wished greater advantage on tire British market, since she was unlikely to find a market oil tile Continent. Australia was able to snnnlv

an immensely larger part of Britain’s wants now* supplied by foreigners. He believed the threat of retaliation would bring foreign nations to their knees. It was absolutely necessary

for Australia to find fresh markets, owing to her increasing population and larger cultivated area. Without preference ho was doubtful if Australia would be able to maintain its position on the British markets. itli« preference the wheat exports might increase four-fold. With the increase, in export fully ' another 40,000 population might be employed.