THE EMPIRE LEAGUE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2375, 28 June 1892, Page 4

THE EMPIRE LEAGUE.

London, June 23. Addressing a meeting of the Empire Trade League to-day, Mr J. Mnnro, Agent-General for Victoria, stated that the scheme for the exchange of products on a preferential basis would be mutually beneficial to England and the colonies, while tiro federation of the Empire would command their jdace in the world. Mr Dibbs endorsed the speech delivered by the Marquis of Salisbury at Hastings in May last, in which he urged that England ought to be prepared to retaliate on hostile tariffs, but without excluding raw materials or food. Mr Dibbs x-egarded Imperial federation as unnecessary, as Australia was already part oUthe Empire, and there was no stronger tie than that of commerce. He advocated a commercial trade bond, and England having the preference in the colonial markets as against foreigners ; but the colonies, he argued, must retain their rights and legislative independence. He admitted that the subsidy paid by the German Government to the German line of steamers running to Australia virtually enabled German goods to be landed in Sydney free of charge, but colonists much preferred English goods. Mr Dibbs supported a resolution moved by Sir Charles Tupper, High Commissioner for Canada, and seconded by Mr Howard Vincent, M.P., urging the extension of inter-British trade as productive of the resources of the empire, which are sufficient to supply the empire without the aid of foreign markets. The motion was carried.