IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 204, 8 May 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

i AMERICAN RECIPROCITY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, London, May 6. The Premier, in the House of Comtaons, said that Mr. Bryce, the British Ambassador to the United States, in no ■way interfered at the conferences at •vashington respecting reciprocity. • ATTACK ON MR. BRYCE. Received 7, 10.15 p.m. London, May 7. In the House of Commons Mr. H. Page Croft asked whether the Government would consider Imperial preference, in order to defeat President Taft's design to make Canada an adjunct of America. Mr. Asquith replied that the TaftRoosevelt letters were private. Mr. Bryce had no knowledge of their coni tents. There was nothing in the corre■pondence to make the Government alter its policy regarding preference. The Canadian people would resent interference. Mr. Bryce's action was inspired by confidence in Canada. He would support the policy of the present Government equally as its predecessors. Mr. Page Croft moved the adjournment. He accused the Government of supporting the American-Canadian reciprocity, on which point it was ill-in-formed. Mr. Bryce had not kept the Government in touch with the negotiations essential after the Canadian verdict. He should be promoted to another •phere of usefulness. Sir E. Grey repudiated the unfair attacks on Mr. Bryce, who did nothing whatever to induce Canada to accept President Taft's proposals. He was not present during the negotiations. He asked: Did the critics think Mr. Bryce ought to have stopped the negotiations? If Mr. Bryce had shown reluctance to Support the Canadian Government, it Would be difficult to resist a demand for Separate diplomatic representation.