AN IMPERIAL SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81904, 17 December 1906, Page 3

AN IMPERIAL SPEECH.

LORD MILXER OX EMPIRE AFFAIRS. THE TRAXsVAAL~~COXSTITUTIOX. A DESPERATITsiTUATIOX. NECESSITY FOR SOBERMIXDED LEGISLATORS. Received Kith, 5.13 p.m. London, December 15. Lord Milncr, speaking at Manchcster, said he feared that premature re sponsible government for the Transvaal would result in economic catastrophe which a brand-new Legislature wag expected to deal with, with the agreeable consciousness that their policy was liable to the Imperial veto. The only hope in the desperateness of the situation was sober-minded Transvaal politicians. A CONSOLIDATED EMPIRE. BRITAIN'S MISTAKEN POLICY. TREATING COLOXIES AS FOREIGNPOWERS. Received ICth, 5.13 p.m. London, December 15. Personally, said Lord Milncr, he be lieved a consolidated Empire the higheat of all political objects. Britain would be unable to remain a World Power if she stands alone. It waa wrong to treat the Colonies the same as a friendly foreign nation. Far better to use the growing desire for Imperial unity, to counteract the formidable forces of disintegration.

AN OPPORTUNITY LOST, CONSULTING THE COLONIES REGARDING SOUTH AFRICA. NEVER FORGIVE HIMSELF. Received ltitli, 5.13 p.m. London, December 15. Continuing, Lord Milner said he would never forgive himself for neglecting to suggest that the Colonies, who had co-operated in the subjuga tion of the Transvaal, ought to have been consulted in the settlement of South Africa during the period of tutelage. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. MOTHERLAND BLOCKING EMPIRE RECIPROCITY. BEJECIION OF COLONIES ADVANCES. A DANGEROUS ATTITUDE. DISINTEGRATION HINTED AT. BEGULAR CONSULTATIONS URGED. Received loth, 5.13 p.m. London, December 15.

Lord Milner continued that he hoped Sir H. Campbell Banneruiau would preside over the Imperial Conference. Only Britain's reluctance to participate prevented reciprocal preferential treatment rapidly permeating the Empire.

The most unfortunate outcome of Britain's unsympathetic attitude was that it conveyed the impression that the United kingdom was also averse to any idea of preferential trade between the different parts of the Empire.

More discouragement might not deter the Colonies from continuing preference to British goods, but if the Colonies were told to "go your way; .we can never dream of closer relations With you than *thers," the probable result would be to kill a good deal. more than preferential trade.

Other nations would gladly accept the reciprocal advantages which Britain rejected. The Empire might resist even that strain for a time, but it would be a fatal blunder to try ik. It would be an immense step if regular consultations were established between the Colonies and the Mother land, with a permanent consultative committee.