IMPERIAL UNITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2075, 9 May 1907, Page 4

IMPERIAL UNITY.

SPEECHES IN ENGLAND.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, yesterday. Tho following cablegram has been handed to tho Press Association by the Government: — LONDON, May 7. At tho banquet givon by tho Hon. Lloyd Georgo, President of ho Board of Trade, to momhors of Navigation Conference at tho So • oy Hotol, on Friday night last, Sir Joseph Ward, in tho course of his speech, said, referring to sevoral important matters ho had alroady brought up in tho Colonial Conferonco, that ho would take tho opportunity of monaucli groat importance to tho British suoli groat importancoto the British Government, tho Governments of the self-governing colonies, and tho people of tho British Empiro. 110 believed all, wonted to assist in bringing into elosor touch tho peoplo of tho old land and tho new, and one practical way of doing so was by improving the means of communication between tho OUI World and tho outlying portions of the Empiro. , Ho had the firm belief before coming to England that a faster passenger and mail servico between England, Canada, Australia, and Now Zealand was one way of bringing the countries into closer touch that was quite possiblo of accomplishment. A sorvico could be established to bring Now Zealand within 20 days of London. They were men anxious to improve tho trado of tho Empire and increase it. Hero was an opportunity of doing so and bringing the peoplo of the remotor parts of tho Empire and England within limited time of each other. If thoy could get the population of Britain, Canada, Australia, and Now Zealand to recogniso the groat possibilities which lay in a quicker sorvico botwoon each country, it would bo the most valuablo tiling that had ovor boon done, as quick, communication would subsequently bring a groat dovolopmont of trade botwoon England and tho solf-gov-orning colonies. Ho would tako the opportunity of again advocating cheap transit charges on ships trading from Now Zealand and Australis. to England by representation on the Board of Control of tho Suez Canal, and as tho natural outcomo of this, reduction of ships’ dues through tho canal. Ho had already referred to what ho termed tho toll system of tho soa, and if thoy were wise men thoy would uso tramp steamers to enable tlio people of Australia, New Zealand, and England to have their perishablo goods, even though frozen, carried by a shorter route than at present.', because tho rates at tho Suez Canal were almost prohibitive for tho class of goods forwarded by tramp steamers coming that way. Something, in his opinion, should he done to improve trade coming in that direction. The business now done between England and Australia and New Zealand was considroablo, but in future would be greater. Referring to cable communication, ho said these great countries would find it would he invaluable to trade if the present high rates wore reduced. He did not desire to do anything to hurt the shareholders by reducing the dividends they were receiving now, but thoy would work in that direction by seeing they did not suffer in respect of the amount payable to them. It should he possible to so reduce the rates that cables could be sent for sixpence or a shilling a word, and it would be recognised what a boon this would be both to business, social, and domestic life, as well as invaluable in bringing all portions of the great Empire closer and closer together. In the course of his reply, Mr Lloyd George said the results of the Conference just finished must be considered in many respects as boing of firstclass importance to British trade. Tho Conference itself was largely a new departure, but ho believed its success would justify its repetition. One good thing that had resulted was that it enabled them to meet face to face instead of talking thousands of miles away, and they had thus been able to clear up many misunderstandings. Talking across the seas they wore liable to imagine difficulties and allow suspicion to take the place of knowledge of each other’s true position; but when they sat around one table many things they were apprehensive about they found had no ground for foar at all. Proceeding, he said it was perfectly true that Now Zealand and Australia had a right, and this the Imperial authorities conceded. They had tho right of imposing any conditions they liked upon their own coastal trade, but he would ask again, although he had received an assurance that this would not be done, that the local regulations in their severity should not be mado to apply disadvantageously against British shipping. Tho old world had to contend against foroign competition, which was growing daily although ho was glad to say that Britain was still holding her own. They would much like their kinsmen in tho Southern seas to help and not to hinder. Sir Joseph Ward had raised matters of first-class moment in the course of his speech. Sir Joseph had referred to two or three questions brought before tho Imporial Conference the other day in an extraordinarily able speocli—a speech of which ho .could say the knowledge impressed itself vory strongly upon tho Imperial delegates and tho Imperial Government. Sir Joseph had put before them certain suggestions which the Imperial Government wore giving their best consideration at that moment, and it was more than probable that something would b'e said at tho Conference on Monday. He had no right to anticipate what tho result would be, but Sir Joseph had raised three very practical suggestions, and those were now being debated, to which ho hoped he would be able to give a satisfactory answer before the colonial Premiers left tho city. This much he said: In regard to certain questions the point of view of the present Government may be different to that of New Zealand and 'Australia, which they recognised could not bo given effect to owing to political exigencies; hut they could recognise that other things could be done to assist to bring the colonies closer to England. He considered the suggestions of Sir Joseph Ward worthy of practical consideration. Taking the Imperial communications ho was of opinion that the subject was purely a business proposal, and what they had to consider was whether it was the best thing in the interests of Britain as well as the Empire as a whole; and upon tliajt con,'dition alone he agreed that it was .of the greatest importance to tho 'portions of the Empire which were thousands of miles from each other that they should shorten the miles of communication. The first thing the Romans did was to make roads. Our roads lay across the seas, and what Sir Joseph suggested was that our Appian Ways should be improved ;and shortened. Between here and jNew Zealand it takes six weeks now, and the suggestion of Sir Joseph Ward, fortified subsequently by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, was that it can be done in three weeks. This was a matter of groat importance, and did not depend on political problems or the fiscal policy. Then the suggestion in respect to the Suez Canal dues was an important matter.- He did not see why the Imperial Government could aot assist with the object of reducing tho rates, thus lightening the ' burden of ships trading between Australia and New Zealand and the Mother Country. These subjects were reing considered, and ho would be surprised if something was not done to meet the proposals of Sir Josejih Ward. He was sure that if instead

of discussing purely dobntonble matters between tho colonies and the Mother Country, as had been dono in real earnest round tho table, they would, witli a view to arriving at a decision, earofuly consider such suggestions ns thoso made by Sir Joseph Ward, thoy would not sopurato without something tangiblo being to bring tho distant parts of tho Empiro elosor to tho Homoland, and thus mn'ko a moro united Empiro. One way of doing so was improving tho trade botwoon various parts of the Empiro by quicker linos of communication. Thoso things, ho had said) wore boing considered, and ho could n'ffinn they wore considering thorn with somo practical purpose in view.

At tho conclusion of his address, Mr. Lloyd Goorgo referred in flattering terms to Mr. Janios Mills, manager of tho Union Company. Ho said ho was the principal of tho greatest lino of steamers in tho Southern seas —a sorvico favorably known throughout tho world, and ho had great pleasuro himsolf, as well ns other Imporial delegates, to meet that gentleman for tho first timo. His experience in shipping matters had been of incalculable sorvico. Ho had impressed thorn all with tho knowledge ho possessed of the subjects under review in the deliberations oi the Conferonco. Indeed, Mr. Mills’ remarks were given in a manner which did him honor, and it was difficult for a roprosentativo of British seamen (Mr. Wilson, M.P.), to know whether he (Mr. Mills) was really a shipowner or a seamen’s representative, in view of his impartial, unbiassed view of what was good for tho shipping world. Tho good work dono by Messrs Belcher and Ilislop was favorably comentod on, and he personally thanked them for the able manner in which they also had doalt with tho subjects brought beforo tho Conference. THE RECEPTION AT MANCHESTER. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at Manchester on Saturday, where tho reception and address woro of an enthusiastic character, stated that Now Zealand was anxious to increase her trado in natural products. The fact that there woro ten millions of people within forty miles of Manchester showed tho possibilities of direct communication between New Zealand and Manchester, which offered invaluable advantages. In everything possible to save money for tho producer and trader, and to the earnings of liurd-working settlers of New Zealand, and whoreevor expense could bo avoided, tho duty was to help in doing so. Ho urged that British shipowners and British merchants should join hands and work with determination to help ships flying tho British flag to compete on successful terms against active, up-to-date German competitors. Ho referred to tho work of the Conference, and said that any rumor circulated that there was feeling exhibited at tho deliberations was entirely incorrect. Tho delegates present were not men who appealed to the passions of anyone, but to their reasoning powers, and though tho British Government had not been able to agree to the proposal of the colonies for preference, they were not dismayed or in anyway doterred in urging mutual co-operation between England and the colonies, which was desirable in strengthening the bonds of all portions of the Empire. All rocognised the right of tho British Government of to-day to carry out under a policy of self-government in England what the British Government and the colonies maintained as the right of themselves, viz., complete independence in regard to decisions on matters of domestic policy for their own countries. Ho was of tho opinion that preference with the colonies upon certain articles of necessary products could be given effect to, and hoped to see it established in the future. Though the present British Government did not entertain this view, lie was persuaded in his own mind that it was the right policy to pursue, and though they might be slow to getting it accomplished, it was worthy of the consideration of the statesmen and Parliaments of British countries. He said the honor of the freedom of the city of Manchester, one of the greatest cities of England, was deeply appreciated, and would be cherished by him and regarded by the people of New Zealand ,as an honor to their representative and a compliment to that country tlirought its representative in England.

Both of Sir Joseph Ward’s speeches at the freedom and reception wero received with loud cheers, and enthusiasm indeed characterised the whole proceedings. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. At the Conference to-day Mr. Lloyd Georgo spoke for nearly three hours. Ho said the declared policy of England being freotrade, thoy could not admit the request of tho colonies: Though the Government wero anxious in every way to do all that was possible for tho colonies, and to help cement tho unity, a large section in England wero too poor to admit any increase in the price of foodstuffs, and ho was afraid that for some years to come, if preference was agreed to and a duty on wheat imposed, there would be hardships to the consumer. Taking wheat as a typical case, the self-governing colonies would not be able to supply sufficient wheat for England in tho meantime, and consequently prices would rise. That was tho opinion of tho Government. Ho declared that a Conservative Government when in office removed the duty on coal for the same reason, and that if again in power they would not impose a duty on coal now. He stated that Conservatives wore divided upon the question of protection, and quoted statistics to show that England had increased her export trade almost equal to that of America, Germany and Franco - during the last ten years. Though they could not agree to dllgoverning colonies, and so assist in other ways. He paid a high compliment to Sir Joseph Ward for his suggestions in tho important speech delivered by him as being most valuable with a view of helping the colonies. He would show the sincerity of the Government in tlicir desire to do so. They would make provision for representative commercial agents, what he would term Imperial commercial travellers, in tho various selfties, they were willing to assist in disseminating information and obtaining what was required for the assistance of traders. The question of subsidy to steamers was a difficult one, and lie saw a great difficulty in applying subsidies to what were termed ordinary cargo carriers, but Sir Joseph Ward’s suggestion for fast services to bring the colonies and England elosor together had his sympathy,, and that of the Government. He understood Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mr, Deakin supported the suggestion, and if practical proposals Were submitted, they would receive the favorable consideration of tho Government. The bringing of the colonios closer to Eigland was most important. He was also in favor of doing what was possible to help in a reduction of tho Suez Canal dues, and anything that could be done in this direction to assist on tho lines suggested by Sir Joseph Ward would be favorably considered. Mr. Deakin stated that a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. Mr. Lloyd George said the policy of the Government was one ot freetrade. They and tlicir party had boon returned upon that, although other elements, of courso, came into the election, blit they ’Could not reverse their policy.

Mr Charles Lewis, M.H.R., oil tho Minister for Lands: “Mr McNab

has always boon regarded as a ‘safe’ man. By this we mean that on such questions as Land, Liquor, or any other matter on which opinion runs high, you can ransack Hansard in vain for any utterance ho could bo bound by.” Representations woro mado somo littlo timo ago to tho Acting-Pre-mier, with a view to making the shooting of paradise ducks legal for a month of tho present shooting season, and on tho Minister’s arrival in Timaru he informed a member of tho South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society that in all probability tho request would be complied with