COMMERCE COMMISSION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 298, 13 June 1912, Page 5

COMMERCE COMMISSION

CONFERENCE IN LONDON. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, June 11. There are three hundred delegates attending the Congress of Chambers of Commerce at the Guildhall. Sir George Reid, Sir John Taverner, Sir J. McCall and New Zealand delegates were present. Mr. Asquith welcomed the conference on behalf of the Government. Lord Desborough, in his presidential address, detailed the results and resolutions of the Sydney Congress, including those dealing with wireless telegraphy, parcels post and cable rates. Mr. Alcock, of Melbourne, seconded the resolution of the Toronto Board of Trade in favor of an all-red cable, which was carried by a large majority.

THE EMPIRE'S TRADE. Received 12, 10.10 p.m. London, June 12. Mr Asquith, speaking at the Guildhall, said that the gathering of the Empire's commercial representatives was one of the most convincing proofs and surest safeguards of our Imperial loyal- J ty, unity and strength was that for several years a quarter of the Motherland's imports came from the overseas Dominions, and over a third of her exports went there. There had been an aggregate trade of four hundred millions sterling. Lord Desborough said that it became daily more apparent that if the Empire is to live it must consolidate in commerce as well as in defence. Britain a generation ago was supreme in commerce and feared in arms, but the progress of other countries more than threatened her supremacy in commerce. They must look to the Empire to maintain the position Britain once held alone. Referring to Imperial defence he said that they appreeiated the spirit demonstrated in the Dominions. Congress has reaffirmed the All-Red mail route connecting Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Mr. Foster, the Canadian Minister of Trade, interviewed, mentioned the favorable progress of reciprocity negotiations with Australia. He regretted Sir Joseph Ward's resignation, as he regarded liim as an enthusiastic preferentialist. There was no present question in Canada regarding the maintenance of preference, but there would come a time when men, would ask whether preference should be all one-sided.