THE PREFERENCE QUESTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 21 May 1907, Page 3

THE PREFERENCE QUESTION

. ♦ ; > UNITED STATES' OPPORTUNITY. , New York, May 20. Great Britain's attitude on the question 01 preference at the Imperial Conference has induced the Democrats oi Massachusetts to make reciprocity with Canada the chief plank in tiie platform of tlie next campaign for the State (lovcrnorshi').

•SPEECH BY MI! WINSTON CHURCHILL London, Mav 10. Mr. Clmrehiil (Under Secretary for the Colonies), addressing 30UI) members of tiie Scottish liberal Association, said the demand for preference made at the ('•> lonia I Cmlerence was repeated di.lv with strident clamor by Tories ami tlio pothouse press supporting tbcni. Tln-v *»'MJi:>_ Government had -banged the Jloor. \ es, (hey had hanged, lmm , (l .„„, 'V f ' , Uli ' : lcrr l 'P' ;n t'-i'l'-rial taxation 'I tood. and the largest Liberal-Radical-Übor majority ever seen had set their naclcs firmly against it. The Liherels would stand like a rock between the working mas-es and those squeezing some shameful JiUle profit out of (he scanty pittance of the weak and poor He added: ••(If ,- om , of Ul( , s])m .| l(l!i 01 - our colo, ; :.,l auests I say nothing except mat they are the guests of the Government, and the laws of hospitality- impose obligations not only on hosts but on guests.-? A mischief-making, eaves-drop-ping press had done its best to create ill-teelmg between the Premiers and HiGovernment, but the forces for unity of the Empire had been strong enough to make those exertions vain.

CAPE DELEGATES INTERVENED. Received 20th, 0.28 p.m. I London, May 20. Dr. Jamieson, interviewed at 'Southampton on the eve of his departure, declared he was disappointed with the result of the Imperial Conference, but was certain that principles had been affirmed and definite steps taken which would bear fruit iu the future.

Mr. Smart, interviewed, complained of the timidity of the Imperial Government m refusing to exumine dispassionately and consider the vital question of fiscal reform. Even with a mandate against preference, the Government might have reduced the duties on tobacco and sugar in the interests of the Empire.

INTERVIEW WITH SIR J. G. WARD. Received 20th, 0.30 p.m. London, May 20. Sir .1. G. Ward, in an interview with Renter at Brindisi, said it would be idle to say that before coming to the Conference he believed a resolution favorable to preference would be carried, because he understood the Imperial Government's declared policy was in favor of free trade. Though personally he believed the question of protection and free trade ought not to be allowed to enter into the question of preferential trade, yet as preference was regarded as a protectionist policy, it would have been paradoxical to liave found a party opposed to protection and preference, supporting it at the Conference. He emphasised that the Conference had proved in no wise abortive. On the contrary, much valuable information had been recorded at what, after all, must be remembered as the first practical business conference held, and should yield practical results in the future.

| NEWSPAPER COMMENT. Received 20th, 10.41 p.m. London, May 20. The Daily News, dealing with Mr. Churchill's speech, says the door was banged, not upon the Colonies, but upon protection. The Daily Chronicle declares the door was slammed, not against the Colonies whose interests are dear to us, whose loyalty we appreciate, and in whose virility we rejoice, but against a cruel, misehievo.us policy.