IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 10 May 1907, Page 2

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

TRADE RESOLUTIONS CARRIED.

London, May £. At the Conference Lord Elgin ■■That this Conference, recognising tnc importunw of promoting greater freedom and fuller developiuent of comnieicial intercourse within the Empire, believe that these objects may best he secured by leaving each part of the Emmie liberty of action in sclccl.ng the most suitable means for attaining them, having regard to its own special conditions 'and" requirements. nm .,:,„ r SV 1 <1 Ward moved the follow addition: 'And that it is desirable to co-operate in all matters of mutual in- | te ixda.i.cson objected to the resolut ion \ ll(1 r „ vm ] ,voposed. He 1, 0 considered an abandonment ot tin Premier.-,' previous attitude. \ deadlock seemed iminiineiil, and ultimately -Mr. Deakin moved tl<« »>*•> l ;»> nfler the word "eonierenci' tin «■ ■ "without prejudice to the lcsol . -• already adopted and reservations bj hi.. \l-iiestv's (iovernment. * The' amended resolution was un.niWard moved instead the resolution he had namely, that it is advisable in th " l„rests of the L'nitcil Kingdom and tin colonies that an ctfort in favor of British-inanulactured goods aid British shipping should lie suppoiUd i. far as practicable. . , This as carried unanimously. imperial tram" jevelopuext fund.

PROPOSALS BY 31U DEAKIN

Keceivcd Oth, 10.2 p.m. Loudon, Apnl

Mr Bcakin read a resolution to the effect "lluit the Conference recommend, that in ovilev to provnlc. funds. im de veloping trade, commerce, means of coinmnnicaton and transport within the Umpire, a duty of one per cent cm foreign imports shall 1m levied 01 the equivalent contribution made. «>J ea.i of ft# legislatures after consullation ween their representatives in tonln " once, and ilie common fund snail be Hevoted to co-operative projects approu'il by the legislatures alVeeted, with the "cnefal purpose of fostering the inuuatrial forces of the Empire so as to piomote the growth of unity." Mr Dealan explained that the resolution was intended to absolutely safeguard the rights o£ self-government. Mr Lloyd-George at first hotly attacked the scheme, under the impression that it was a device for providing a large fund for assisting colonial projects.

PREFERENCE TO BRITISH SIUPS,

Received 'Jtli, 10.55 p.m. London, May 0.

When Mr Deal;in explained I lie meaning of hits resolution, Mr LloydGeorge appeared to regard the proposal as equitable, and allowed its submission.

Mr Deakin moved the vc-allii'ma\ion •of the resolution adopted on Mr Beddon's motion at the 100*2 Conference Relative to the desirability of taking steps to promote Imperial trade in British ships, also the desirability of refusing the prvilcges of coastwise trade to unreeiprocating foreign countries. Mr Deakin instanced the injurious effect it the Russians and Americans extend-d coastwise regulations, and thought it desirable to ascertain the legal po.-ition as to what were the practical advantages or disadvantages of taking action with regard to coastwise trade. Mr Lloyd-George considered the reSolution unnecessarily attacked the decision of the Navigation Conference so far as it affected British shipping. lie complained that the great liners would be subjected to heavy losses owing to structural alterations and wages, if forced t" conform to the standards enforced for Australian coastal trade. Received 9tli, 10.5!) p.m.

London, Mav 9.

Mr Lloyd - George, conlinning, said that Australian conditions even applied to where ail ocean liner picked up two pasScngeres at an Australan port fur coiivi'vance to another purt. Sni/li provisions would do much to hamper the carrying trade to Australia, lie thought Australia ought to give the Motherland equality of treatment before discussing preference. Jlr Deakin's resolution might seem advantageous, Inn if ev amined it would lie found to involve groat dillieulties. It's object was either to exclude foreign ships from our coasting inter-Imperial trade, or to put pressure on foreign Governments to admit British ships to corresponding trade in their dominions. Jlr LloydGeorge thought the restriction of the traders' choice of transport facilities would probably raise the eost of carriage, thus proving a disability. Also, he said, a positive advantage would be given to foreign trade between the Empire ami foreign countries, as compared with trade within the various portions of the Umpire, if goods can only travel within the Empire in British ships, while goods from foreign countries have the choica of either British or foreign ships. Received IKb. 1.51 p.m.

London,'. May Continuing, .Mr Lloyd-George s

that neither Norway nor Germany exclude us from their coasting or inter-Im-perial trade, yet they supplied Uie bulk of the foreign shipping engaged in our inter-Imperial trade. The only vessels excluded would he Russia and I'nited States, whose trade was so small that the proposal would confer Utile practical benelit. , Jf the principle were extended, there would he a danger of reprisals on our shipping, which was half that of the world. Foreign ships, 11 excluded, would compete more keenly in the foreign trade still open to them, I and which largely exceeds the colonial trade. No far as the United Kingdom was concerned, the interests of Briiish shipping was not prejudiced by the very small amount of foreign shipping entering our coasting trade. Mr J)eakin replied that tile proposals were those of the Commission, not the Government's, whose policy was still undecided. He also said the conditions objected to were intended to raise the standard in conformity with Australian opinion.

. I'OSIIION i.V TUB l'ACli'iU. UNITED STATUS' COASTAL LAWS. LLOYD-GEORGE REFUSES TO RETALIATE. Received Oth, 11.5 p.m. London, May si. Sir "Wilfrid Lauricr bitterly complained that tile colonies with Pacitic Ocean interests were adversely afflicted in a very direct and serious manner liv the United States, who had extended coasting trade to embrace the trade of Honolulu and tile Pliiilipines. Though Canada olfered to reciprocate in connection with coasting trade, the United States refused.

Sir Joseph Ward strongly complaine, of Honolulu being regarded as ai American coastal port. It created n

extraordinary position very injurious to I Now Zealand trade, lie 'urged Britain to adopt, a system similar to America regarding extension of coastal trade unless reciprocity were granted. Mr Lloyd-George refused to entertain the idea of retaliation. Ultimately the resolution of 11)0:2 was re-ailirnied unanimously, exeeni tin) Britain dissented when' the colonies declined to limit the enquiry to the noS'tion of inier-colonial trade.

NAVAL DEFENCE Oh' AUSTRALASIA.

THE ADMIRALTY DECISION'

AGREEMENT MAY BE REVOKED.

Received lUlh, 12.33 a.in,

T , London, May !). , J weedmonth stated that as the I osiilt of an interview will, the Australasian delegates, lie was now able to summarise the Admiralty decisions «o lls -\»st™tia and New Zealand wore concerned. He was willing to leave the uuianee of the present subsidy entirely their bands, leaving them to do whatever they thought best. Tie realised that Australia did not favor the present mode of contribution. The Admiralty

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was willing to adopt the principle of Australia choosing for her,soil', especially as the Admiralty wished to lie relieved from the obligations of the agreement respecting the .strength of the squadrons to be kept oil the station. They wished U» unite the three squadrons of Australia, India and China. If Australia desired to establish its own defence system, the Admiralty would oiler 110 objection. It' New Zealand wished to continue the subsidy, or establish s«bI marines, she would be afforded facilities | lor either. Mr. Deakin followed on the lines ot his despatch of 28th August, tie -tated that, assuming with Sir Joseph Ward's consent, he should ask the.Commonwealth Parliament to terminate the igrc-'iiu-nl wilh Britain, and tipply the übsidv to securing the harbors and coast i>y protecting them, they would relieve I ihe Admiralty of responsibility in war i time, and also be providing a ba*e of Mipply and shelter for merchantmen, and increase the security of their own tradeis. In the event of a crui>er raid, An-tralia possesses the power ol resist* im-e in her own ports, and also when n Urilixh squadron arrived would be able In some extent' lo supply reinforcements.

Australia's desire to terminate tin* agreement was not dictated by motives of economy, since llu 1 liew net ion would certainly cause n greater out lay. lie recognised Hie restraints imposed on the Adnm-iilly under tlie present agreement, ■tnd warmly acknowledged the liberal maimer ill which Australia's wishes lmu lieen met. He was convinced the result would strengthen Hit! Empire's position in those waters.

Sir Joseph Ward said New Zealand was not prepared to embark on a heavy financial responsibility in building and maintaining a local navy, as the colony had much development work ahead, requiring the expenditure of millions. lie did not desire to follow a "dog-in-the-manger" policy regarding Australia, and he was willing to assist to release Australia from the conditions of the agreement, which retarded the adoption of the policy she considered better for her interests. He would consult his col leagues and Parliament, recommending this course, leaving New Zealand free to make her own arrangements with the British Government for the defence ol New Zealand. There was no need to hurry matters.

SIR .JOSEPH WARD EULOGISED. NOT A DREAMER—A MAX OF AFFAIRS. Sydney, May 0. The Telegraph, commenting on tlie fiscal debate at the Iniperal Conference, savs: ''Sir Joseph Ward is a preferentialist, and His colony is much more pronounced than is the Commonwealth Oil that question, but Sir Josepli Ward is less a dreamer and more a man of affairs than Mr Deakin, and while he has heartily supported the preferential proposed, lie has refrained from scolding Great Britain for daring to disagree with New Zealand, and has submitted other proposals which are of a more sensible and acceptable nature, lie knew very well that until there is a change in the British mind preferentialism is impossible, and lie has therefore invited cooperation 011 'the proposal!) which do not liccessarilv conflict with British policy."