PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2073, 7 May 1907, Page 2

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

SPEECHES IN LANCASHIRE. Pless Association.—Copyright. LONDON, May 5.

Mr. Churchill and Captain Guest, representing the Colonial Office, accompanied Sir Joseph Ward. Messrs. Bond, Moor, and General Botha to Manchester, where they were presented with the freedom of the • city at tho Town Hall. The ceremony' was followed by a luncheon. The speeches made emphasised the necessity of developing trade between Lancashire and the colonies. Sir Joseph Ward made an earnest appeal for reciprocity, warning his hearers not to neglect German competition.

RECIPROCITY BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND CANADA. LONDON, iiiay 5. Canada has submitted a proposal for a reciprocity treaty with Australia. Sir W. Lyne begins negotiations as soon as the Canadian Minister of Finance arrives in London. It was a noticeable fact that Sir Wilfrid Laurier was first at the Imperial Conference to recognise that preference was impossible. The impiession is that he will be quite willing to consider what alternative Britain is prepared to offer in the way of improving rapid communication and granting assitance common to Imperial ends.

ADVERSE PRESS OPINION. LONDON, May 5

The Economist says Mr. Deakin failed to indicate the advantage the Motherland would receive by adopting colonial preference. The Economist fails to see how England would benefit by the extension of an Australian export trade if obtained by passing a self-denying ' ordinance against foreign goods. Before making a definite offer of preference Australia seems to be waiting to learn what the Motherland is going to offer.