More Deakin.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8804, 4 May 1907, Page 2

More Deakin.

Mr Deakin inquired -whether the British Government! being absolutely determined against preference, would consider a proposal on the lines suggested by M IJofmeyer in 1887 and Sir Sydenham Olarko in Melbourne in 1903. The proposal involved the creation of an Imperial fund by a 1 per cent special import duty levied on all foreign goods entering British ports, the fund to bo applied to the improvement and development of the maritime communications of the Empire, improvements in the carrying of mails, cables and other common Imperial ends. Dealing with the Suez Canal difficulty, Mr Asquith said he was not prepared to answer without consideration. Later Mr Deakin asked Mr Lloyd George if he was prepared to take their propositions into consideration. He said Britain could make up her contribution to the Imperial fund by any means she pleased so long as she provided an equivalent. Mr Deakin thought such a proposal was well worth examination in order to ascertain if it came within Mr Asquith’s undertaking that Government was prepared to look favourably on any proposal for improving interImperial communication, and development of commerce and trade. If the Government was favourable to the idea then the Conference could try to arrive at a practical agreement. It was better to wait for that or some similar scheme than close the Conference without being able to show any advance. His great object was to elicit some positive proposal. Mr Doakin’s suggestion appeared to be received with disfavour on the part of two colonial representatives, also by Messrs Lloyd George and Churchill. The two latter consented to consider the matter. Both will speak on Monday.