NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2074, 8 May 1907, Page 2

NAVIGATION CONFERENCE.

Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, May 6. Mr. Lloyd George banqueted tlie •Navigation Conference delegates at the Savoy Hotel. Sir Joseph Ward, in proposing Mr Lloyd George’s health, paid a high tribute to liis presidency. He firmly believed that as the outcome of the conference the various Governments would find a basis whence all could work. He emphasised the importance of lowering the Suez Canal rates for vessels carrying perishable produce and cheapening the cable rates to Australia and New Zealand to sixpence, or at the most one shilling per word. Mr. Lloyd George, replying, said he thought tlie results of tlie conference admirable. Sir Joseph Ward’s suggestions llad greatly impressed the Government, which was giving them the deepest consideration. He hoped to be able to give a satisfactory answer before the Premiers left, as tlie suggestions could he carried out quite consistently with the Government’s pledges of policy. He failed to see why the Imperial Government could not join the colonies in lessening tlie burden on British ships traversing the canal. He would "he surprised if something could not be done to get Sir Joseph Ward’s proposal carried into effect. Sir Joseph "Ward argued that there ‘were immense possibilities of increasing trade if more rapid communication between tho Motherland, Australasia, and Canada, were established. If the prohibitive tolls in the Suez Canal were removed tramp steamers would carry hack perishable frozen produce. While not desiring to reduce the cable companies’ dividends, lie thought it possible to greatly reduce the cable rates to the advantage of business, social, and domestic ties of the Empire.

Mr. Lloyd George referred to Sir Joseph Ward’s extraordinarily able speech and businesslike, practical suggestions. Although political exigencies prevented the acceptance of preference, other ways remained of assisting to bring the colonies into closer touch with England.' Sir Joseph Ward’s suggestion to shorten and improve the Appian ways of Empire were a matter of the greatest importance. He concurred with Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Wilfrid Laurier that it was possible to bring New Zealand within 21 days of London.