COMMERCIAL CONGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 193, 18 September 1909, Page 2

COMMERCIAL CONGRESS

BUILDING UP THE EMPIRE. THE XECESSITV FOR ADVANCING. THE DELEGATES BANQUETTED. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Sydney, September 17. The delegates were entertained ui u, banquet m We Town Hull. There was a brilliant gathering, including Eurl DuUI Icy, Lord Chelmsford and Ml. Dcukin. Eurl Dudley said the occurrence of the Imperial Defence, the Press, and the Commerce Conferences within a few months illustrated the rapid inarch of events towards a larycr meiuure of lmpcriul unity and stability. Dealing with the necessity of consolidating and strengthening the industrial mid commercial forces of the Empire, he ueeiaicd that in the future struggle for commercial supremacy Britain could not And un,v resting-place in achievements of the past. To stand still or even advauee slowly wag to invite defeat. .Mr. Doakin, in a brilliant academical speech, dealing with the importance of tne Congress and of the commercial and producing interests to the Empire's development, said Britain had a great commerce; let them strive to strengthen it. It was to the commercial and produciug power he looked for Che building up of the Empire, especially this portion of it. The speaker, referring to the preference resolutions adopted by the Congress, said that if the Old Country found it had not been gives on lines best adopted to the rest of the Empire, he was sure she would find lined more suitable, and that from the spirit displayed at the meetings held during the week, they would ultimately come to a conclusion satisfactory to all. The Congress adopted Mr. Peate's motion; also resolutions in favor of reducing to the lowest possible level the parcel post rates between Britain and the colonies', and the abolition of the taxation placed by certain colonies upon commercial travellers for ißritish-made goods. Sydney, September 17. At the Commercial Congress, Mr. Ames (Montreal) moved in favor of the appointment of an advisory Imperial council to consider questions of Imperial interes}, especially those tending to promote trade between various parts of the Empire, An interesting debate ensued. Messrs. Knox (Melbourne), Oockshute (Canada), and Jenkins (Adelaide) supported. •Sir Albert .Spiccr, without opposing the motion, suggested that an Imperial Consultation Council of Commerce, holding periodical sittings in different p*rw nf the Empire, would be preferable to 11 permanent body.—The motion wa» passed.

COMMERCIAL MEN AND INCOMETAX. Sydney, September 17. Mr. Dixon (Sheffield) moved that the system in force in Wcstralia, South Australia, and Sew Zealand, in charging in-come-tax upon British commercial travellers and agents,; was prejudicial to British trade and should he removed. Several Australian delegates and Mr. Hiirkncss (Wellington) spoke against the motion. ENCOURAGING IMMIGRATION. NECESSITY FOR A STATE-AIDED SCHEME. Received 17, 10.10 p.m. Sydney, September 17.

Sir Albert Kpicer moved urging the Home and colonial Governmeats to consider what further or better steps than* at present exist should be taken to' elaborate, a general State-aided scheme at reduced rates to encourage the emigration of suitable settlers to British dominions. He said: "If those of u« who come from the Mother Country are not misinformed, there are powerful parties in some of the States of the Commonwealth who, so far from desiring immigrants, seek to curb the inflow of new settlers. That is an attitude I could understand if any of the [Australian States were approximately peopled up to their full capacity. Australia for Australians, in its absolute sense, represents limited ambitions. It forebodes the possibility of future enervation." He went on to say that no would rather sec Australia for Austnlions and Britons, a whole-hearted welcome being given to newehums and a determination to make the fullest use of those natural resources with whl-h the Commonwealth was so' richly endowed. To Canada must lie awarded the palm of having offered the most generous attractions to British immigrants. The result was seen in the ninefold growth of the streams of immigrants in 14 years. When Austra'i'a borrowed most for reproductive works she had more attractions for BritisD emigrants, so when she temporarily retired as <n borrower the stream of emigration became sluggish. Canada, m the other hand, had digested heary amounts of Rritish capital, while in 190 ft it was estimated that not less than 4o millions was invested in corporation and other industrial interests in the dominions. As the flow of capital gathertd strength so the tide of immigration bad risen.

Mr. Barr (Dimvdin) supported tli( motion. The only alternative to tht encouragement of immigration, he said t was to Ree themselves l n the course ol Uic nest ten years working for elthel Japanese or German employers. The motion was carried, j SUNDRY RBSOLUTIONS. ' • Received 17, 11.30 p.m. Sydney, September 17, The Congress carried motions that the duties on travellers' samples should be refunded on the travellers' departure within twelve months; that the colonies be requested to prohibit the entry of goods not of British origin but having false marks and that the British doyornment be asked to introduce prods* >ve clauses ,n all commercial treaties ,of well? !i ld be a unUorm **» ■ I 1 * 1 " and measures} that .tens JE" \ h l tokcn . to hRVe » State-oJrZ i cable between Canada and Anstralii. and fendcayors made to obtain a «ubHtantul reduction in the rate., especial. l.v Press rates, that the various Gown. nicnte should take steps to have jX mens made onforcaWe throughout the &'" "?* ."?" * a »«"» H« t ,»jhV f origin an<l Talue ot *">*> that the Congress re-afflrma the previous resolution re thfe formation of S tion and arbitration boards in tradi ,A iv P«tes; that the Australian ( overnmttU bap to contain 200 pounds: that ill on c™ '"I? 18 V" Mi ° l 'o» »i legiState on copyrights suited to their resDective o S ,,o, S:tl i«t flli g|a lt „„ sc rtt I'-iied at ( ocos Tslnnil at the joint exPBW of the Imperial. Indian ftlon i 0?,""" Governments. * oarlilh \ moim * oi Mr. Smith dnvercargill) It was resolved that « 11.1* house should I,e erected at the Sn?r« ea^^w!S« MOat^