IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8808, 9 May 1907, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Mr Churchill’s Speech. Press Association. —Copyright. Loupes, May 8.

Lord Elgin said that personally he was : satisfied to accept Mr Asquith’s and Mr Lioyd-Georga’a statements, but Mr Churchill would say a few words. Mr Churchill dealt chiefly with the i parliamentary party and diplomatic aspects of preference, and declared that any such scheme must contain dangerous possibilities of mischief and prove an aggravation of political^perils. Ho could imagine nothing more injurious to good relations than raising bitter questions of taxation every year which was certain to lead to severe criticisms of the colonies, causing an inexhaustible source of vexation. Preference was only possible by means of taxation, of v six or seven staple articles of food and raw materials which the United Kingdom would never accept. However light the duties were they were bound to affect prices, which impoverished the people, who were sure to resent concessions bringing such results. This would cause sullen anger and was certain to breed unhappy consequences, besides greatly intensifying party bitterness, immensely increasing the difficulties to I which they were already exposed in the discharge* of parliamentary business. Many favouring preference as evidence of ■ goodwill would recoil from the necessary i schedules of taxation. He appealed to the delegates not to establish any relationship interfering with self govern- ‘ menfc, the root principle of tho Empire, : or consisting of any commercial tie formed by legislative means. He thought it possible good results might come from , Sir Joseph Ward’s suggestions, which ! were deflection! from the direct question ;of nreference. The colonies should bluntly state what taxes for preference they would impose on tho Motherland, It ; -would be highly dangerous to asso--1 ciato the idea of Empire in the minds of the masses with enhanced prices. If the electors over demanded the removal of a food tax and they found it necessary to consult governments scattered all over the world, the structure of Empire would receive a shock such as it never before sustained. Some day, when Imperial unification had rpached higher development, men would regard the deci--1 sion of tho Conference of 1907 as a suo- | cessful avoidance of one grand wrong ! turn. i Sir Wilfrid Laurier preferred to reaffirm the resolution of 1903 to adopting Mr Boakin’s, though he concurred in the I first of Mr Beakin’s two additional resolutions. Sir Wilfrid stated that pre- : ference had certainly increased Canada’s and Britain’s trade, but he admitted tho I absolute right to adopt whatever fiscal j system was best suited to her internal j conditions. Ho w. -uld bo glad to apply ! (anada’s lower preferential tariff to all 1 British colonies. He claimed that there van no justification on the ground of i 1 sanitation for continuing the injustice of i excluding Canadian live cattle. Mr Asquith promised that the Board of i Agriculture would seriously consider this subject.

Reply by Mr Deakin. London, May 8. Mr Deakin, replying to Mr Churchill, said he Nought he allowed his imagination to run riot in unnecessarily alarmist fashion. Even if no preference was conceded questions of taxation must constantly arise in every Legislature in the Empire, without such destructive results as Mr Churchill extravagantly pictured. The Commons would deal with business oil Us merits and adapt the constitutional machinery to the country’s circumstances instead of making the State’s development fit the measure of a mere standing order. Mr Deakin challenged the whole tenor of Mr Churchill's arguments, because he said they were based on a series of economic assumptions only applicable to particular circumstances and entirely inapplicable to actual facts of business competition, especially as reflected by national rivalry. Colonial Parliamentary experience showed that the dangers Mr Churchill predicted were not very grave. Mr Asquith and Mr Churchill had anathematised everything which even infinitesimally conflicted with tho principles they held orthodox. Mr Deakin believed tbe only safe method in practical politics was to apply economic maxims experimentally and be governed by experience. Mr Churchill’s doctrine would be fatal to all discussion of commercial relations and there would be no preference within tho Empire, no commercial treaties outside the Empire, and no negotiations for most favoured treatmint. I’liis involved absolute isolation of tlio Motherland which was treated as a sick man who kept in an invalid chair jbecause if. ho tried to progress he must run the risk of hurting himself. If the British Government proposed freetrado within the Empire, combined with a tariff wall against the outside world, Australia would consider it with an open mind. He personally regarded improved cable and steam communication and commercial agencies as all part of a system, and preferential trade covered thorn all. Mr Churchill left before Mr Deakin’s sarcastic speech was concluded in order to bo sworn in as a Privy Councillor. Mr Deakin agreed to save time and secure unanimity to accept the old form of resolution of 1902 instead of the rather simpler resolution he submitted. Lord Elgin recorded Government’s reservation, declaring that he saw no way of giving effect to the preferential resolution of 1902 by any alteration of the fiscal system of the United Kingdom. Sir Wilfred Laurier’s motion of reaffirmation was carried, subject to Lord Elgin’s reservation. Dr Jameson again moved that his postponed resolution be submitted on Monday. Mr Asquith opposed this motion. General Botha and the British Government dissented, and the rest concurred. '

Various Resolutions. At tiro Conference Lord Elgin moved that the Conference, recognising tbe importance of promoting greater freedom [and fuller development of commercial intercourse within the Empire, believes these objects may best be secured by leaving each part of the Empire liberty of action in selecting the most suitable means for attaining them, having regard to its own special con ditious and requirements. Sir Joseph Ward moved the following addition—“ And that it is desirable to co-operate in all matters of mutual interest.”

Dr. Jameson objected to tho resolution in the form proposed, and said it might ho considered an abandonment of the Premiers’ previous attitude. . A deadlock seemed imminent, but ultimately Mr Deakin moved tho insertion after “Conference” of the words “without prejudice to tho resolution already adopted and the reservations of his Majesty’s Government. ” : The amended resolution was unanimously carried.

Sir Joseph Ward moved instead of the resolution of which he had preyiously. •'given notice, “It is advisable in the interests of the United Kingdom and of the self-gov-erning colonics that an effort' in favour of British manufactured goods and British shipping should bo supported as far as possible practicable.” The resolution was carried unanimously.