IMPERIAL TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 8 May 1907, Page 3

IMPERIAL TRADE.

PRACTICAL OUTCOME OF COX I'EU ENCE. GOVERNMENT ACCEPT SIR JOSEPH . WARD'S SUGGESTIONS. SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IIIS PROPOSALS. The following cablegram Ua-< been banded to the Press Asoseiatiou at Wellington by the Government: —

London, Hay . At the 'banquet given by the llun. L Lloyd-George, President of the Board of Trade,'to the members of the Navigation Conference at the Savoy Hotel on Friday night last, Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of his speech, said, referring io several important matters that lie ha«i already brought up ;i- the Coloniai I'suferenco, he would tike the opportunity Of mentioning these because they were ot such great importance to the liri.isli Government, the Governments of th self-governing colonies, and ihe people of the British Empire. He believed ni wanted to assitt iu bringing iuto clue (touch the people of the Old Lanil • an; 'the new, and one practical? way of Join; so was by improving the means o communication be.ween the Old Wori and the outlying portions of the Empire He had a firm belief before coming i England, that a faster passenger an mail' service between England, C.-.nadr 'Australia and New Zealand was one wa of bringing these countries into close touch, and that he had stated that i was quite possible of accomplishment A service could be established bringin New Zealand within twenty days c London. They were men anxious t improve the trade of the Empire an to increase it. Here was the opportim ity of doing so —bring the people of t h remote parts of the Empire and Englan within limited time. If they could ge the population of Britain, Canada,' Aus tralia and New Zealand to necognis the great possibilities that lay iu ; quicker service between each country, 1 would be the most valuable thing "tha bad ever been done, as quicker cornmun cation would subsequently bring grea development of trade between Englan and the self-governing colonies. H would take the opportunity of agaii advocating cheap transit charges to Ships trading between New Zealand 'Australia and England by representa tlons to the Board of Control of the Sue Canal. He referred to what he tenne, the toll system of the sea and if the Were wise men they would use tram] steamers to enable the people of Aus-. tralia and New Zealand to have theii perishable goods, even though frozen carried through by a shorter route thai at present. The rates .of the Suez Can al were almost prohibitive for that clas of goods forwarded by tramp steamer at present. Something, In hia opinion should be done to improve trade cominj in that directum. The business nov done [between England, Australia am New Zealand wag considerable, but thi future would be greater. Referring to cable communication, h said these great countries would find i would be invaluable to trade if Ihe pre sent high rates were reduced. He d:< not desire to do anything to hurt share holders by reducing the dividends the\ were receiving now but they could wort in the direction of seeing they did not suffer in respect of the amount payable to them. It should be possible to so reduce rates that cables could be sent for sixpence or a shilling a word, and it would be recognised what a boon this Would be both to business and social and domestic life, as well as invaluable in bringing all portions of the great Empire closer and closer together. In the course of his reply, the Hon. Mr Lloyd-George said the results of the Conference just finished must be considered in many respects as being of firstclass importance to British trade. The Conference itself was largely a new departure, but he Believed . its success would justify its repetition. One good thing had resulted, in having enable,! them to meet face to face, instead of talking thousands of miles aivay, and thus they had been able to clear up many misunderstandings. When talking across the seas, they were liable to imagine difficulties and allow suspicion to take the place of knowledge of each other's true positron, but when they sat around one tabid, many of the things they were apprehensive about, they found thev had no ground for fear at all. Proceeding he said it was perfectly irue that New Zealand and Australia had a right, and this the Imperial authorities concede before imposing any conditions, but lie would ask again, although he had received an assurance that this would not be done, that local regulations, in their severity, should not be made to apply disadvantageous!}- to British ships. The shipping of the Old World had to contend against foreign competition, which was growing daily. Although glaj to •ay that Britain was still holding her own, they would much like their" kinsmen of the Southern Seas to help and not hinder. Sir Joseph Ward In--, ne Said, raised matters of first-class m.-.,,.. ent, and in course of his speech he. had referred to two or three of these questions. He (Sir Joseph Ward) had brought before the Imperial Conference the other day, in an extraordinary able Bpeech, a speech which he (Mr Lloyd-., George) could say of his knowledge impressed itself very strongly upon the Imperial Government. Sir Joseph Ward had put before them certain suggestions, ■Which ttte Imperial Government were giving their best consideration at tint moment, and it was more than probable that something would be said at the Conference on Sfonday regarding them. He had no right to anticipate what the result would be, but Sir Joseph Ward had raised three very practical suggestions, and these were now being debated, and he hoped they would be able to give a satisfactory answer before the Colonial Premiers left the City. This much could lb« said with regard to certain of the questions. The point of view of the present Government may be different io that of New Zealand and Australia, which they recognised could not l>u given effect to owing to political exilities, but they could recognise that other things may be done to assisi to brim: the. colonies closer to England. He considered Sir Joseph ' Ward's su»gesfiona worthy of practical consideration. Taking Imperial communications, he was of opinion that the subject was a purely business proposal, and what they had to consider was what was the best thing in the interests of Britain, as well as the Empire as a whole, and upon that condition alone. He agreed wilh Mr J. G. Wanl that it was of the greatest importance for portions of the Empire scattered thousands of miles from each' other, that they should shorten the mues of communication. The first ihin« the Romans did was to make roads Our roads iay across the seas, „ud what Sir Joseph Ward suggests is that our Appi ~i Way wants to be improved, and shorten the time. i'rom here to New Zealand fokes six weeks now, an<l tiie tion Of Sir Joseph \\'ard. fortitie.fiiili-

iequently by Sir Wilfrid Lauri.-r. was that the journey can be done i„ weeks. This was a mutter of >;rc.it importance, and did no, depemTon such

]»litical problems a.s the fiscal police Then regarding Sir Joseph Ward's hi'./. gestion with respec; to the Suez C'.unl dues, this was an important mailer. and he did not see why the Imperial Government could not assist the object In- reucmg rates, thus lightening ill#' bur--0 sh-RMrading between Australia, . v" 4 and tlle Country. fnd L l J ?, tB , Werc ' bdn » co ""idere'l. he would be surprised if .■o-iicthii)-were not don- to meet ti.„ Y r Sir J. G. Ward F«poMl S oi instead „f r . Iu w ' ,s S""' th=it if, instead of discussing |)ur ,,),. natters between the%UnL „ Mother Countrv a « 1,,, l ? real earnest ron'nd the tablJTh, with a view to arriving at "'V, " ' carefully consider siieli sul*made by Sir Joseph T w™" " ' isfied thoy would not Oemr-,10 „'-V" something tangible (libtant parts 0 f tile Empire the Home Land, and thus make t „„ united Empire. One way of doing jraa by improving trade betwe- u various pins of the Empire bv .. lines of communication. These 'tliim^ he said, were being considered, and lie could affirm they were considcrii,;, them with forae practical purpose iu vjU

Lloyd George referred in flattering terms to Mr J as. Mills, who, lie said, was the principal of the greitest line of steamers in the Southern Seas, a service favorably known throughout the world, and it was a great pleasure to him>elf, as well as the other Imperial delegates, to meet that gentleman for the first time. His experience of shipping matters had keen of incalculable service, lie had impressed them all with the knowledge he possessed of the subjects under review and deliberation of the Confer- ! •

enee. Indeed, Mr Mills' remarks were given in a manner which did him honor,

mid it had been difficult for the representative of the British seamen (Mr AVii-on, M.P.), to know whether lie (Mr Mil's) was really a shipowner or a seamen's representative, in view of hi.-:, impartial and unbiassed view of whit was good for the shipping world. (load work had been done by Messrs Uek-fier and Uisiop (New : Zealand ilolegale-.) whose work it' lav.irI ably commented upon, and personally thanked them for 1 lie aide manner in I which they had deal: with the snljj >ctis t lirought before the Conference. ! SIR JOSEPH WARD AT .AIAXCIIESTKI!. I

Sir J. (J. \Y:ml, speaking ai Manches-ter-on Satunlav, stated that New Zo.iland was anxious to intiv.i > • .v;wle in its natural products paiiiuul vly. Til': fact that there wore ten millions 01 people within forty mile- of Manchester showed fur .liiceL communication between New Zealand am) Manchester, and offered invahnble ad vantages. Wherever expense could he avoided., i. was their duty to hip by doing so. tie urged that British shipowners and British merchants should join hands and work with a determination to help ships living the British Hag

to compete on successful terms against

' active, up-to-date German competitors. ' r He referred to ihe work of the Coni'ert ence, and said that any rumor circulated that there wais a feeling cxhilmed dmr ing tlie deliberations was entirely incor- ' rect. Tlie delegates present were not men who appealed to the passions of anyone, but to reasoning powers, and though the British Government had not been able to agree to the proposals of the colonies for preference, they were not dismayed or in any way deterred in urging mutual co-o]>eration between England and the colonies, which w.is desirable in the strengthening of the bonds of all portions of the Euipire. lie. was of opinion that preference with the colonies upon certain articles of necessary products could be given effect to. - and liojieci to see it established in the . future. Though at present the BritisJi Government did not entertain his view, he was persuaded in his own mind that it was the right policy to pursue, and thoHgh it might be slow in being accomplished, ifwas worthy of the com sideration of the statesmen and Parliaments of British countries. He said the honor of the freedom of the City ot .Manchester, one of the greatest cities in England was deeply appreciated, and would be cherished by him, and regarded by the people of New Zealand as an honor to their representative and a ; compliineiiflo that country through 1 their representative in England. 1 Both Kir Joseph Ward's speeches at the presentation of the freedom ami it i the reception were received with loud ' dhecrs an enthusiasm, indeed, char- ' acierised the whole of the proceedings. !

RESUMPTION OF THE CONFERENCE MR LLOYD-GEORGE SPEAKS FOR THE GOVERNMENT. WHOLE POSITION REVIEWED. SIR J. G. WARD'S PROPOSALS I EULOGISED.

Received 7th, 9.30 p.m. London, May 7. At the Conference to-day Mr LloydGeorge spoke for nearly three hours. He said the declared policy of England being free trade be could not admit the request of the colonial delegates being supported, though the Government was anxious to in every way do all possible for the colonies, and help to cement unity. He said a large section of England was too poor to admit of any increase in the price of foodstuff, and he was afraid that some years might come if preference were agreed to and a duty on wheat imposed, when it would be a hardship to the consumer. Taking wheat as a typical case, the relf-govJnv ing colonies were not able to supply sufiideDt wiiea t for England meantime, and consequently prices would rise. That was the opinion of lhe Government, He quoted statistics to Miow England had increased her export trade almost equal' to that of America, Germany and France during the last ten years. Though they Could not agree to duties, they were willing to assist in other ways. He paid a high compliment to Sir Jo-eph Ward for the suggestions contained in the imporatnt Speech delivered by him, as being most valuable. With lhe view of'helping the colonies he would show the sincerity of the Governmeiii in their desire to do hi. They would make provision for representative commercial agents—\ijiat he would term Imperial commercial travellers—in various parts of the self-govern-ing colonies, so as to assist in disseminating informal ion and obtaining what was required for assistance of traders. The question of a subsidy to steamers was a difficult one, and lie saw great difficulty in applying subsidies to what he teruield ordinary cargo carriers, s>ut Sir Joseph Ward's suggestion for a fast service to bring the colonies and England closer together had fiis sympathy and that of the Government. lie mi|:lq/stood Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mr Deakin supported the suggestion, t,n if practical proposals were submitted, they would receve the favorable eon- . sideration of the Government. Bringing the colonics closer to England was most important. He was al-o in favor of doing what was possible to help in a reduction of Suez Canal dues, or anything that could be done in this direction to assist on lines suggested bv Sir Joseph Ward would be favorably cmsMered.

Mr Detkin stated that a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush.

Mr Lloyd-Gcorgo said the policy of the Government was oe.e of free trade. They and the parly ha.l been returned upon that, although other element- of course, came into election, but lliov could not reverse their policv. Received 7th, tf.,57 p., n .

Dr Jameson said he hoped M r LloydGeorge would give a more sympathetic answer than Mr Asquith's decisive refusal He moved a further resolution, That while allirming the resolution of I J'L, the (onferenee considered as the British Governcmnt, through the South African Customs I'uicn, allowed preference, against the foreigner, to the Unit--0(1 Kingdom, Canada, Australia and >,W Zealand, and all other British possessions which granted reciprocity the Bri nsh Government should now' take into consideration the j-ranlins of like feronce to all portions of the .Empire ZJRZf** "■ »■' """'l'" of the resolution might be nostSemf % ol » i,ou -as

ThVHm,. J). Lloyd-George, i„ a ~n - oawate oawate and able speech „„ t l„. ,|,i,.'°f Inference, occujiied three hour, necessitating another .Iny's d ..| wu . enable Mr Churchill to speik T: - is ''Cli..ve ( | the (iovermnent will piopose a Yrt-ue, rc-olu-

7i!,. Ii is ! -Mr Lloyd Civiv.i;.. hi, . f "" "'terrogatovy form. ,\j r Deakin ! Crer iH cmty r„plvh- the others ocri- 1 ?."" ll,1 !. v ' Uoy.l-f;,,,,,, SilM , '"•vrn.nent was wi1i1,,., t „ suggestions, nothinir would inmice thorn to chants tlh-i r 'po.sii i.,„ IVgarjing the I nited Kingdom'-. tnjfj' He admitted tlm wliil« ? trade with the re t of the colonic w.s-i sali ifactory, Australia's position was mi - satisfac.ory, and called for full enquirv since ii alone showed a (decline in British imports, lu- rontra- ! (led J>ri tain's with jnjnny and ]• ranee, and maintained flint hlit? highest lvages with shortest hours jworepaid t > JtritMi skilled laborer-, 1 , > tildinLT #jods of the highest value. 1 j 7lli, 11.32 p.m. : I Tile ('nited Kingdom's exports and ' 1 '"• iiai!:>e!urc.s were much higher per l: r .' I (Inn those of France, Germany ' an-l tin- ('nited (Stales, and her toning was enormously greater. 1 to Sir \V. Lynos muarks rerid.ug foreign in Australian whirrs. Jj r {>;.*[ (.''.orge said the to.al i '-utiaiu'es an.| cleirances of • over-sea [trade jii Australian por!s in 1005 were r t under two million tons, wMl*t shipping

under the British flag was live and a half millions. The Imperial Government might have ignored the mandate given Ah Deakin last election in favor of protection and prcferciice, ami might lutve endeavored to induce the L'omVr- ' cnce to adopt a policy of freetraiie within the Kmpiie. which some could not hive approved without proving false to their people. Sir W. Lyne had urged a commercial union of Ihc whole Empire, citing precedents, but in all these easi'S j all tolls and tarill's were removed. Had i

a free trade resolution been proposed and refused the Press might have declared

hut the colonics lwd refuse,l to lislou o the Motherland's appeal to be put n equal terms with her children, who lammed the door in their mother's face, .'he Government did not adopt that ■ourse, recognising the unfairue-fc of gnorhn; local conditions and exigencies, ihey did not wish to attempt, to iiimiiocivre each other into false position inee till were in perfect accord regardng the objects desired. It was better o Irv and Uncharge the political i.u iicss of the Empire. The (,'overnment avored a scheme for the development if" inter-Imperial trade which did n it iulict sacrifice on individual communities, •I'eiitinp: discontent and discord and iniwiring trna unity. He heartily agreed li.it I lie Knipire wouiu he a givat gaiijer '""Id he produced and pnrih.rsed within lie Kmpire. Then part of the saipliis nipulatioii now going «> luroign lawU night lie kept within tiie Kmpire. Aihlng strength to such a federation of fee commonwealths w.i 3 worth some sarilicc. lie only differed as regards vays and means. He was convinced a ax on food meant casting an un.lue hare of the sacrifice on the poorest part if the population. A tax on rate ma-' erial would fetter us in the severe truggle with foreign eompoaiois. and itch a sacrifice would weaken our power o make further sacrifices and we oug/it lot to be called on to make it. .Mr Jcnkin asked the Government ,o iio vliat no protectionist country would, tamely, tlx the necessaries of Jif e or i\elihood, which we cannot produce ourehes and which the colonies c.mnoL upply sufficiently for many years. He .cknowledged the considerable advant,ge from colonial preference conferred n British manufactures. The Canadian arilf Satisfactorily affected our export l-ade, and apjiarently benefited Canada, 'he South Africa and New Zealand tar!fs would doubtless presently show simlarly liappy results, and the same aplied to Australia. Britain felt gruteul, not only for the actual concessions, 'ut for the spirit of comradeship and ■flection. If asked, what are you preiaral to do in return, he replied that iritain was the best customer for colo ,ial products. _ The exports from the ■utonomous colonies in 1005 to all foeign countries was forty and a-htU nillions, while the exports to the United Cingxlom was sixty-five and three-quar-er millions, exclusive of bullion and pecie twenty-one and three-quarter milions. He would be sorry if the Conerenee parted without carefully eonsidiring every suggestion for developing nter-Imperial coinmerce. licganling !ir Joseph Ward's valuable and practi al, suggestions, Mr Lloyd-George ad nitted t lie undoubted advantage if raders could cable an order quickly at rates, liegaring the ap lOiatment of commercial attaches ol he consuls in the colonies to assist Bri ish trades, Mr Lloyd-George admittei ve had not yet done enough. He wa> loubly glad that, Sir Joseph Ward hat aised the question, for Mr Asquith nn [rudgingly acceded to every request foi ncouraging the equipment of the Boar; f Trade's Commercial department. lteccircd Bth, 1.40 a.m. Mr. Lloyd-George said he was consider ng the appointment of imperial com lcreial travellers to investigate the trade onditions and requirements of the colo ies and report on all such matters to tin ioard of Trade, who would disseminate nformation confidentially. These travel ers would visit the great industrial ceil .res of Britain and ascertain for wha' Colonial produce there was a real de inand. Sir -Joseph Ward's third sugges Hon, regarding improved transport an, passenger coimnunication between tli Motherland and the Colonies was mos important, and most momentous. All th experience of France and others showe that merchant shipping subsidies did no benefit shipping. The late Governmen had appointed a committee, chiefly. < tariff reformers, to investigate, and the reported adversely to it policy subsidh ing shipping. lie was unable to cor sider any suggestion for a system i subsidies as a means ~t' improving inte lmpil-ia! trade.

LABOR'S VIEWPOINT

Received 7th, 11.10 p.m.

Melbourne, .Way 7

Mr. Prondergnst, leader of the Labor party, in a speech, said the people were the creaiures of tiin-e who were pleading preferential trade, the same people who led them into the lioer war. Of all the resolutions nubuiilred in favor of preferential trade, not one was designed for the benefit of the people. 'They were all lor tin 1 traders. The sort of preferential trade l-'nglUti capitalists wanted was the kind (hey sent their soldiers (till to get for them. They hid their hands ou nearly everything in Australia, and every lime I hey got a show (hey cut down wages and increased the hours of labor, so as (o create bigger dividends. If the people put up with that sort of foreign Government, they would lie doing an injustice to themselves.

Sill J. G. WARD'S CABLE PROPOSALS

Melbourne, Mav 7.

The Postmaster-General is now making investigation regarding cable rates with a view to ascertaining tile possible effect of a reduction. Personally, he likes Sir <l. G. Ward's suggestion that the charge should come down to Is a word. Inquiries, however, convince him that so heavy a decrease would be impracticable, lie sees no reason why a reduction should not be made to 2s or 2s (id, if the other partners in the Pacific cable and tile owners of the Canadian land line and the company will agree, lie has lately been considering a proposal for the transmitting of free pre.-s cable news. The idea strikes hint a--commendable, btii it would be necessary to secure the co-oparation of the other parites i,i the service before it eonl.l be adopted. Another diflieulty would bo the loss Ml terminal charges, from which a substantial revenue is now derived.

CONVERTS TO COLONIAL PRE MIERS' PROPOSALS.

London, Mav li.

Messrs AV Hayes Fisher and It. A. Yerhurgh.. who wore amongst Sir Michael followers who urged in 1903 the need for cautious inquiry, and resoluiely objected to protective tax r ion on imports of food, now write to the Time> tint the preferential ca>e submit <-d to the Imprial Conference had ?o scronplv impressed them l!»at they preferred to re- ! eoji'iiisc. a moderate corn duly ilia would not infringe s.icreil principle*, and may l>c an of the greatest Imperial utility. Th« Times, on a special aiviele on the preferential debate at the Imperial Conference ,says the Night lion. 11, As' torn- was frankly tint oi' a local ; prepared to consider prac--1 tica! proposals -for the improvement of ; ehaimelfti of inter-Imperial trade, but ! aiipaiv.ntly lie does not realise lhat it is ! Hie duly of the country rejecting pvo- ' povals wiicreon all others are agreed to formula.r eount«'r pn-posaN.

i.oi'd S'.unley. a Unionist Free Trailer, joins .Me-sis 'lerlmp.-li and Fisher on tlie nuestion of preference.

AUSTRALIA'S POSITION. HAS MK. DKAKIN A MA.VDATKv -Ma-llioiitiu'. ,\l:iy 7. j At- » meeting of lite Clianil.i.r ol'Man- | liliu-turers. .Mr Jo.sl the pre-idenl. ! .h'(-iai"ed tlmi if, as tJieir opponents jsnid, preferential trnile and protection : could not exist then llicy wernoi jireferentijtl traders. If preference wcr.. dead, lie did not 1 hink iimmv people in Austrnli i would pass Rleeple-s nights in eonse.fiienee. f( (put,,; true they hliould how! at a jirojiosil made to reduce duties, because the pro s'lit duties were ill ntally respects a mockery of protection. They had rca--1 soji to be proud of the manner in which Mr Deakin av-is them, bail might be he was a shade io o eiitliusinstie and had slifrhtly m-er-sta.ed the (|Uestion if lie led British people' to believe that Australians were hungorin" and thirsting for preference. " a