IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 243, 20 February 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

0 Kl BANISHED FROM THE IMPERIAL ■* ! < CONFERENCE. A NEWSPAPER BATTLE AT HOME. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 19, 5!J> p.m. Loriflon, February 18. The Westminster Gazette holds that it is a fact of great importance that preference is not figuring on the agenda paper, but asks if any serious man, following the course of colonial affairs since the last conference, believes thatif the Dominions thought preference vital to the Empire they would not include it in the agenda paper and have it out with their cruel stepmother. The Gazette does not suppose that colonial Premiers have suppressed their expression of a sense of wrong which, according to tariff reformers, animates the dominions. It is more probable that the idea of obtaining preference played a much smaller part in the politics of the dominions that tariff reformers think. The Pall Mall Gazette declares that the Conference agenda shows how the heart has been taken out of ttie institution by the blank, sullen veto which confronted the chief aspirations of the dominions, wno have apparently decided to let Cdbdenism stew in its own juice, and discontinue knocking at the door which is barred with so much animus. The Daily Mail says that the most interesting of the proposals, is that of New Zealand, intended to raise the political status of the dominions in accordance with their rapid development. The necessity for consulting the dominions on foreign affairs is emphasised by Australia's protest against the Declaration of London.

"THE DOOR BANGED, BOLTED, AND BARRED." Received 19, 5.5 ■p.^n. London, February 18. The Times, commenting on the Imperial Conference, says that while Australia and New Zealand had suggested a number of subjects for discussion, and Africa had half as many, Canada does' not consider any question of sufficient urgency for consideration. The Times adds: "Imperial prefer-J ence, in which Canada was keenly inter- j ested, is barred, though South Africa originally proposed it. Hitherto this has been a prominent feature of the conferences, and resolutions dealing with interImperial reciprocity were moved by Australia, New Zealand, and. Cape Colony, and supported by all the others, but the "floor is now banged, bolted, and barred by Messrs. Asquith, Lloyd-George, and Churchill, and these gentlemen still control the situation. It is not surprising that the Dominions will not expose themselves to another rebuff. Canada has emphasised her hopelessness by seeking elsewhere that which she vainly sought Here. Mr. Asquith's argument at the last conference was that the Motherland returned the preferences by bearing the cost of defending the Dominions. South Africa intended to reply: We will relieve you of defence. Take back your preferences." The Times, continuing, urges that employment created by preference is not compensated by a payment through the exchequer, and declares that the spirit of preference is not banished from the conference. Australia keeps the torch - alight. Her suggestions were at the head of the list of subjects submitted, but the Colonial Office has placed them low down on the agenda paper. The Times commends New Zealand's desire for an open conference.

AUSTRALIA'S ATTITUDE. SIR GEORGE REID INTERVIEWED. Received 19, 5.6 p.m. London, February 18. Sir George Reid, in an interview, said Australian preference was of substantial value to the Motherland, for thereby she surrendered Tcvenue worth a million. Australians favor the policy, but make no demand of any kind, feeling very strongly that the Motherland must decide in what direction the advantage lies. The trend of Australian opinion was that if preference proved a beneficial policy to the Motherland, then Australia would be gallant and enter into it with her. It must be remembered that Australia's policy was now protection, and it was absurd to expect she would adopt a system of mutual preference that would destroy young industries or allow them to be destroyed. He could not conceive a healthier state of loyalty than that which exists on sentiment, which is sometimes stronger than more material bodies, which may chafe as well as unite. The harmony was now so wonderful that a heavy onus was placed on him who would improve it by new methods, though evolution of some kind was certain.