THE TARIFF QUESTION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8801, 1 May 1907, Page 2

THE TARIFF QUESTION.

Press Association —Copyright. j London, April 30. Sir Samuel Montague has resigned •his membership of the London Chamber of Commerce owing to the resolution passed in favour ot preference. . , The Times, in a special article on the Conference and unity, emphasises that Britain is already a tariff State, and declares the minimum that may be demanded or the Government is a declaration ot the right of India and other Imperial dependencies to embody preference in their tariff; secondly, an undertaking by the Motherland to give preference on existing duties, to recognise and to reconsider careI fully sucli extension of revenue duties as may enable every part oi the Empire J,to benefit by the preference given.

Discussed at the Conference. Messrs Asquith and Lloyd George, and a dozen Treasury,Board of Trade and Indian officials were present at the preferential discussion. Lord Elgin invited Mr Dcakinto 01 Mr Deakin thought Sir Wilfred' Laurier might like to say a few preliminary words. Sir Wilfred Laurier made a short statement, explaining that Canada had actually given preference to the Motherland and now invited some action on the part of the Motherland. He intimated his intention to move the reaffirmation of the preference resolutions carried at the Conference of 1903, though it was understood that Australia proposed a similar action. , Mr Deakin remarked that Australia's resolutions preferred an explicit request for preference from the ! Motherland. Mr Deakin was speaki iug when the Conference adjourned to attend a luncheon given by colo- ' nial born membors of ftho House ot Commons.