The Conference.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43088, 4 May 1907, Page 2

The Conference.

INDIA’S YIEW OF PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

(By -Telegraph —Press Association.)

LONDON, Yesterday.

At the Conference, Sir J. L. Mackay, on behalf of India, regretted being at variances with the autonomous colonies, though the Indian government tried to regard preference from an Imperial as well as an Indian stand'* point. Under the existing system India enjoyed a highly advantageous position. Her external -ea-borne trade had increased 66 per cent in a decade, and s ime of her best customers, were protected countries in Europe, without whose markets she would be unable to dispose of her produce. If India kept £ outside the preference, foreigners might treat her separately, but other- r wise might retaliate, hurt ng Indian trade. India had nothing to gam by the Empire adopting the system of tariffs discriminating against foreign manufactured products and ood stuffs. The risk of sacrifices involved was too great for India to accept. Any preference granted to the United Kingdom by the autonomous colonies ought atso to be granted to ludia. Mr B)t ha personally favoured preference but was not long enough in office to get a mandate. The Transvaal therefore adhered to the resolution of 1902. Sir P. Bond adhered to the resolu- . tion of 1902 though Newfoundland desired to co-operate in a policy of preference. Mr Asquith acknowledged the ability and clearness with which the colonial case had been presented, and complimented Mr Deakin on his able exposition. He had . gladly noticed that nothing was said that would be calculated to weaken the sense of Imperial unity or the determination to cement that unity. He dwelt on the great advantage of discussing such subjects face-to-face, Sir Wilfrid Laurier had often emphasized that the basis of unity must be the right of each member of the Empire to first regard his own interests. Sir Joseph Ward says he is not surprised at the government’s general attitude, nor did B he challenge Britain s right to adhere to whatever policy she considered best suited to her own circumstances, but he had hoped the Government might have seen a way to give preference on a few special articles like wheat, meaq and dairy produce since active colonial competition would have kept prices as low as . now. He thought such a policy of specializing was quite consistent with t free trade. While he was disappointed that nothing was done in the direction of preference, he was pleased at the prospect of a reduction in Suez Canal charges and the providing service which placed Australia within |j fifteen days of London and New Zea-' land within twenty. Those benefits were of considerable importance.