TWO DISAPPOINTED PREMIERS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8815, 17 May 1907, Page 2

TWO DISAPPOINTED PREMIERS.

Press Association—Copyright. London, May 16. A crowded meeting of city men, held in the Baltic Mercantile and Shipping Exchange, gave Dr Jameson aud Mr Deakin a tremendous reception. Dr Jameson said he was disappointed that tho Conference had not made a de-| cisive step forward in the direction of consolidation of tho Empire. Whatever had been achieved was mainly due to Mr Deakin’s energy, pluck, and eloquence. Tho substitution of tho word " Imperial” instead of Colonial Conference meant the emancipation of the Conference from tho cegis of the Colonial Office, | and meant that future 'conferences would j be as between Governments. He regretted that effective machinery for consolidation of tho Empire had not been obtained, owing to the secretariat, after tho hardest fight at the Conference, remaining a department of the Colonial Office. He was convinced that the present arrangement would prove such a failure that the Premiers would obtain efficient machinery at the next Conference. Dr Jameson argued that sentimental and material links were required to cement the Empire. He complained that Government had not, attempted to answer the Premiers’ case for preference, but only knocked down bogeys of their own erection. He believed Government were afraid to make even a little experiment in the direction of reciprocal trade because it would prove a success. Mr Deakin emphatically denied that the Premiers in the slightest degree attempted to embarrass tho Government from party political motives. No reciprocity was possible unless preference was mutual. Australia was prepared to build her half of tho bridge to the centre of the arch where she must await (the Motherland’s approach before the keystone was dropped which completes the structure. He said many of the arguments advanced to prevent- tariff reform were absolutely contrary to Australian experience. He ridiculed the importanceattached to the phrase “ immutable laws ” in connection with free trade, and said “ imaginary iaws ” would he truer. He dwelt on the small success sixty years’ advocacy of free trade had upon the world. Ho declared that far-sighted foreigners already saw the advent of preference in the British Empire, and were taking measures to secure the best markets, which would bo found in the British colonies. If the prospect of preference did that what would not 10 per cent duty accomplish ? Australians were free traders to the extent of one-third of their imports, adopting free trade or protection according as it paid best. Ho argued that commerce needed fostering and it was impossible to apply the principle of co-operation better than in developing the resources of one’s own nation. Many argued that tho Empire’s strength rested on'shipa, colonies, and commerce, but without commerce there would be neither ships nor colonies. The Empire was not only a great armed force, a civilising agency, and a school of culture, but a gigantic business enterprise which ought to be directed on business principles. ■ Government’s principal aim ought to bedo fortify and sustain commerce. It our * ancestors fought to establish it, surely it is worth our while to protect it. The Premiers wished to see the whole machinery of commerce as well as public life applied in securing unity of the Empire. Although the Conference failed to accomplish much directly, yet the indirect results] repaid the sacrifices the delegates made to attend. When tho other nations found commercial unity so enormously valuable as a means of_ developing’ national life, why should Britain throw aside so potent an’J'lnstruraent? The l colonics’ hands were still outstretched because they recognised that the present polite refusal of preference was only temporary. Since the Empire’s whole force was employed to protect trade in war time, surely it was justifiable to expect this country and Empire to protect trade in peace time. Concluding, Mr Deakin said “ The colonies believe in you, even if you have ceased to believe in yourselves. Wo believe that within this Nation lies a force capable ot rousing you to greater and loftier heights than ever, enabling you to retain the proud position your forefathers placed you in.” Prolonged cheers, the audience singing “ For They Are Jolly Good Follows.”