THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8803, 3 May 1907, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Preferential Tariffs

Press Association. —Copyright. , . London, May 2. 5 At the Imperial Conference the Hon. Alfred Deakin, In concluding his speech on preference, emphasised the action of Canada in negotiating a reciprocal tariff with Germany. Dr. Jameson (Gape Colony) and Mr E. R, Moor (Natal) strongly supported preference. Mr Asquith replies to-morrow. Sir Joseph Ward understood that although-New Zealand conceded preference to certain British goods in 1903, the competition between British merchants prevented any increase in the price to the consumer, though they were able to undersell the foreigner. If he were an English politician he would advocate cheap food for the masses, and if he thought preference upon colonial products increased the price of food he would not support it. He strongly believed that competition would ensure a fair value and keep down prices. Ho directed attention to the large decrease in British trade with the colonies, quoting the Board of Trade returns, which showed that from 1 1904 to 1903 British trade to Australia and New Zealand declied £OIO,OOO, compared with from 1899 to 1901. This was suggestive of the inroad foreign countries wore making to capture British trade, aud necessitated consideration from the British authorities and merchants whether the loss was due to ausos curable by practical'methods. E-ihe presence of three British Ministers induced him to emphasise the fact that Australia aud Now Zealand, though yet in their infancy, with a population of only five millions, were the. third largest purchasers of.. British products, only India aud Germany exceeding, though India’s, population was 239 millions aud Germany ’s 60 millions. Ho believed that while the limit of trade between Britain and Continental countries was already almost reached, trade with Australia aud New Zealand would be an ever-ex-panding one. It was difficult to form any conception of what even the next 25 years would do in the way of the development of those countries. It was obvious that the teeming millions inhabiting Germany and other highly protective Continental countries must increase their manufacturing industries in order to pro ride employment _ for their ever increasing population. British statesmen aud people ought to carefully consider that, also the extraordinary fact that Australia was only behind Germany in purchasing ability; and already purchased onehalf as much as India purchased. Such a'pracfcica! ocject lesson ought to he studied. Sir Joseph Ward supported preference for business aud Imperial reasons. Business required the consideration of Britain the colonics. New Zealand’s preference was given entirely as a matter of sentiment,' kinship, aud attachment to the Empire. ,He referred to the Suez Canal. Disraeli’s acquisition of a substantial interest in the canal was a . bold stroke of genius worthy the consideration whether it would not pay the British Empire and France, as the controlling powers, if they agreed to pay a dividend to shareholders so that ships sailing under the British of French flagmight pass through free\)f charge, or at nominal charges. Colonials would then he enabled to send perishable products in tramp steamers through the canal instead of by Cape Horn or the other routes. This would save time, besides ‘proving advantageous to the products exported ; also the improved facilities were certain to lead to increased trade. New Zealand would be prepared to assist to provide the sum required. He urged that Britain should join Australia, Canada and New Zealand in improved steam mail service between them. He had nothing to say against the existing services, but had his eye specially on a service across the Atlantic and the Pacific, via Vancouver. He was quite satisfied that if the Hon. A. Deakin aud Sir Wilfred Lauricr were willing to support a large and suitable class of steamers there would be no great difficulty in shortening by days the time between Australia, New Zealand and London, even bringing New Zealand within twenty days of Loudon. This would strengthen the Imperial, commercial, and amnestic ties. Now Zealand had already entered into a reciprocal treaty with South A-frica, and extended the existing tariff to Canada, and was also willing to enter into a reciprocal treaty with Canada if their extension of preference was threatened. If the Motherland and her children combine they would be able to prevent colonial products from being subjected to high and often prohibitive duties from foreign countries, He emphasised that foreign countries were making strenuous efforts to secure our trade by means of subsidising steamers and cheapening railway facilities. He admired the way some of the foreign competitors worked to obtain com. mcrcial extension, but, as a matter of self-protectioi), and with the object of preventing the drift which might eventually lead to disintegration, he urged in the interest of the great national development we should have a mutual trade arrangement throughout the Empire

South African Opinion. London, May 2. Dr. Jameson, Capo Colony, in a clever speech, endorsed every word that Mr Doakin had said, The colonies were ripe for action and were all awaiting the decision of the British Government. The colonies had not asked Britain to sacrifice her fiscal principles but asked her to change the methods adopted and to practice the principle of preference if only' by reducing existing duties. He dwelt on the great advantage it would be to South Africa if the duties on tobacco and. wine were reduced and emphasised the fact that the two territories in ■ South Africa, absolutely ilhder the control of the British Government, had boon directed to adhere to the customs union of South Africa, which gave preference to the" Motherland. He hoped that .this indicated a possibility of another advance. He mentioned that a minority in the Capo Parliament opposed further preference and w -ro possibly opposed even to the continuance of the present preference unless Britain is prepared to give reciprocity . to some small extent.

Mr Moor, Natal, urged the experimental reduction of the duty on tobacco.

The debate will be resumed to-day,

Banquets And Receptions. The Victoria League, with Lady Jersey -presiding, presented to the Premiers at the Imperial Institute an address of welcome signed by 1300 members. Mr Deakiu, acknowledging the presentation, referred humorously to interference with the conference by banqueting and gaieties which departmental satirists might almost siippdse to have been carefully planned with a view to distracting them from the business of the Empire or preventing a bettor uuderta-udiug. He added, in a halfcheery vein, that, despite such sur roundings, we shall not be crushed (cheers) if wo seek in vain for some things in official circles, for sympathy and assistance, for the helping hand extended out to us in- our remote countries while for the action here so all important at the centre we can look to the Leagues and voluntary organisations of citizens to fill the place official circles are inclined to leave empty. (Oheers.) The Leagxie received the cordial thanks of the outer Empire. “If,” said Mr Deakiu, ‘ ‘ you receive 1 css than your meed of recognition here, if a coid shoulder is turned to the League, as it is.; tons, remember there is a warm hand on the other side of the globe grasping yours.. After all this country had been created ap.mucli with-, out its governments and sometimes, despite its governments as with thorn.

Sir Joseph Ward was equally ; applauded when ho referred to the teaching of the Empire’s history in New Zealand and. the training of boys in the use of the rifle.

Mr Churchill started to attend the reception, but wrote regretting, that; ho had been recalled to the Colonial Office on urgent business. At the Chamber of Commerce banquet to the Premiers 600 wore present. Sir Joseph Ward replying to the toast of the Parliaments of the Empire, said: “Every great national community should have a voice in the management of the Empire. Is it not worth impressing those who don’t see eye to eye with us on preference? We should carefully con-

aider the possibilities and potentalitiea. of.our groat Eiupirei”. Mr Deakin,.replyiff; Id tho todst of tlie Consolidation of tlio Empire, promised mesribers of the Ohanibbr the heartiest welcome to Australia in 1909.- The voyage would soon dispel apprehension as to Australia’s sentiment of sympathy with tlie Motherland. Trade had made ;the Empire aud trade must continue to maintain it, therefore .the voice of the trader should he the first to receive public attention. ‘ ‘ Can you not trust yourselves to make bargains with your own kin.” Nearly 1000 persons were present at the Austral Club’s reception to the Premiers. Mr'Louis Botha, the guest at " a dinner of the Transvaal Banking Commercial and Mining Interests, declared that Government would not attempt to deal with the labour question before drastic inquiry had been made. He desired to see the existing mines continue and others opened in the near future. Lord Harris hailed Mr Botha’s reference to the mines as a safe investment. Reuter’s Pretoria, correspondent states that Mr Smuts, replying to a Labour deputation, said that Government had determined to ropatriate the Chinese at the earliest possible opportunity aud to absorb the unemployed whites.

Mr Asquith’s Reply. At the Conference Mr Asquith point blank refused any fiscal preference and indicated vaguely the possibility of assisting the steamship lines aud cables. Australian CriticismMr Deakin , asked if Mr Asquith meant to exclude consideration of the scheme of Mr Hofmcyer . and Sir Sydenham Clarke, which involved neither protection nor free trade. Mr Asquith asked time to consider the matter. Sir W. Lyuo disscutted from Mr Asquith’s pronouncement from foundation to summit. It was calculated to lessent ho sympathies of the Colonials. He resented Mr Asauith’s attempts to: belittle the value of the preferences at present conceded. Mr Ramsay Macdonald. Mr Ramsay Macdonald, in a letter to tlie Times, ridicules tlie puny benefit which Australian preference concedes to Britain. If Britain accepts she penalises Oanacm, Now Zealand and India as if they were foreigu_Statos.

Alleged Inadequate Reports. The Premiers are incensed at the ludicrous inadequacy and inaccuracy of the press of the discussions. The press evince extraordinary interest in the clamour for fuller pulicity. The Premiers arc receiving many hundreds of tariff reform resolutions from all over the country. The Free Trade Leagues declare they could do the same if they chose. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, in the House of Commons, hinted that a full report would be published after the conference. Certainly no preferential treatment wond bo ox--tended to one subject of the Empire over another. So far as Government was concerned it hoped that every syllable would bo published.