AN IMPERIAL FUND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2078, 13 May 1907, Page 2

AN IMPERIAL FUND.

Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 10. At the Imperial Conference, Air. Deakin explained that his Imperial fund resolution was tabled ns a general arming rather than a precise proposal. It was designed to promote consideration of any other methods which, besides preferential trade, could he employed consistently for the development of trade and intercommunication. He said the one per cent, duty was more an indication than a proposal. It would serve as the basis of argument. He quite recognised the difficulty of bringing the several Legislatures into harmony regarding the definite disposal of the

funds. Even now no co-operation was possible without tho consent of the Legislatures. Ho desired to discuss the best means of providing a method whereby the necessity of Imperial cooperation lor pacific purposes could he kept constantly belore the people • m d Parliament, so that as required there could bo examination of all promising schemes for promoting the prosperity of the King s i onumons. Ho admitted the proposal was originated by Mr. J. Hof mover, and modi{Wl bv Sir Sydenham Clarke, who held that the fund ought not to bo purely for defence. The proposal suggested means and motive for cooperation, and threw the responsibility on those declining to act in com-

moil. .. Mr. Lloyd George said Mr. Ueakin\s proposal differed irom Mi. rio meyer’s and Sir S. Clarke s, since in perial defence was an essential part ot their schemes, owing to the Motherland’s large expenditure on the navy, and the small colonial contribution. Obviously more was to he said. >n favor of a scheme applying the fund partly for the purpose of defence, instead of solely for purposes of improving inter-communication. Personally lie thought the proposal unbusinesslike, unfair, unjust, and inequitable. He contrasted the United Kingdom s approximate contribution of 3* millions with Australia’s £IOO,OOO, New Zealand’s £20,000, Canada’s £400,000, Newfoundland's-■■'•■'■■..£sooo, a P° Colony’s £40,000,, and 'Natal’s £23,000, a total of £590,000 for all tho autonomous colonies. Thus the United Kingdom was asked to provide £7 10s for every £1 paid by all the autonomous colonies together. It was also unfair to ask Canada to pay fouifold as much as Australia. It would be thoroughly unsatisfactory to create a fund first and then consider how to spend it. Mr. Deakin interjected that there would be no compulsion upon the Legislatures, who would be perfectly at liberty to control their own contributions. The impulse of a common Imperial fund would be valuable, instead of the haphazard arrangements between a few units in the Empire. Mr. Deakin characterised Air. George’s speech as a preposterous pretence, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier suggested an adjournment of the discussion.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s attitude was hostile to the resolution. He said he was reluctant to interfere with the Canadian tariff. Whatever schemestliey wanted to support they should do so by specific appropriation. He. hoped before the Conference ended to submit a definite scheme .of mail communication. Sir Joseph Ward followed Sir Wilfrid Laurier. He said that while sympathising with Air. Deakin’s aims for preferential trading, lie was not friendly towards the surtax system. New Zealand some years ago tried a surtax of 2j per cent., but its excellence was unfavorable, and it was soon repealed. The sum of £20,000 did not represent New Zealand’s share in the Imperial colonial system of co-operation, and he hesitated to commit New Zealand to a possibility of the surtax being increased to 21 per cent., or higher, He preferred a system of bounty whereby England would provide half a million in order to assist mail liners and other tilings, upon the understanding that the colonies subscribed their proportion. Everyone then would know the extent if liis liability. Ho suggested the British Government and colonies should give their cable work to the Pacific Company if it reduced the charges to Is. If the Eastern Extension Company did the same then the work ought to be divided, the companies being guaranteed against loss. Air. Deakin explained that liis resolution provided an alternative which possibly Sir Joseph Ward had overlooked.

Mr. Moor complained that Britain refused preference, but was not prepared with any substitute. Air. Deakin’s scheme might not be the best, but' the Home Government ought to at least explain its intentions. Dr. Jameson argued that something like what Air. Deakiii suggested must be done or the Conference would be barren of all practicable commercial results.

Sir H. Bond opposed the resolution.

Air. Deakin replied with considerable warmth. He said Air. George

and Mr. Churchill had dealt only with accessories to the proposal. Unless the Government were prepared to submit positive proposals of some kind, they would have failed to fulfil the anticipations they themselves created. He challenged them tS? speak out freely as to whether they meant to do anything or nothing. Mr. Lloyd George replied that Mr. Asquith had only undertaken to consider a definite plan if all approved. The Government did not desire to assume a purely negative attitude, and therefore do proposed to amend the resolution that the Conference recom-

mends, in order to develop trade and commerce, means of communication v' and transport within the Empire, it

is desirable that some means be devised for systematic consultation between representatives 'of the various parts of the Empire for the purpose of considering co-operative prospects for the general purpose of fostering tlw industrial forces of the Empire, to promote the growth of unity. Sir Wilfrid Laurier dissented. Mr. Deakin said he attached no importance to particular resolutions so long as the Government proceeded with actual projects. ‘He asked if the secretariat would deal with this matter. ( Lord Elgin replied that thero'-wus not time to decide the future of tho secretariat as the fate of the resolution was indefinite. The precis report states that the resolution was not put to the vote, Mr. Deakin saying the discussion would ho resumed on Tuesday. Discussing Mr. Deakin’s resolution for a surtax of one per cent, on all imports of the Empire, Sir Joseph Ward expressed doubts as to the wisdom of the policy. He preferred the necessary amount being voted by Parliament on the estimates. To commence with a surtax of one per cent, meant increasing it considerably within a limited period. One per cent, would produce only £20,000 a year in New Zealand, and if called upon to join with England and Canada lor the purpose of mail service development, reduction of cables,_and concessions in Canal charges, it woo'd mean 2J or even 5 per cent. He disbked the system, which had, in his opinion, many disadvantages.