THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8433, 3 May 1907, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

PREFERENCE. Received .May.?, 5.45 p.m. .LQNDO.N, May 1. At the Imperial Conference Mr Deakin, in concluding his speech on preference, emphasised the action of Canada in negotiating ,a reciprocal tariff with Germany. Sir J. G. Ward, in an able speech, impressed the Conference. He stated that New .Zealand's attachment to the Empire naturally induced the colonists' desire to give .the Motherland preference, asking reciprocity in return. There was .a difference between preference and the graater and more complex question of protection. The latter drew a ring fenee of duty round any specified article involving an .increase of price- The effect .of preference would not be to raise the price of imported products, but to enable the colonial product to undersell the foreigner, thus obtaining a market. He believed that competition between the colonies would be quite sufficient to prevent the prices of their products equalling those of foreign competitors.Dr. Jameson and Mr Moor strongly supported preference. Mr Asquifch will reply te-morrow. Received May 2, 10.41 p.xo. LONDON, May 2.

Sir J. G. Ward said he understood ,that although New Zealand conceded preference to certain British goods in ,1003, competition between British merchants prevented any increase in price r o the consumer, though they, were able to undersell the foreigner. If he were an English politician he would advocate cheap food for the masses. If he thought that preference upon colonial products increased the price of food, he would not support such a proposal. He Strongly believed that competition would ensure a fair value and keep down 'prices. He directed attention to the 1 large decrease in British trade with the colonies, quoting the Board of Trade returns showing ihat from 1904 to 1906 British bade with Aus'tralia and New Zealand h&d declined £610,000 as ' compared with the period from 1899 to 1901- This was suggestive of the inroad foreign countries were making tjo capture British trade, and it necessitated consideration from the British authorities and merchants as to whether the joss was due to causes curable by practical methods. The presence of three British Ministers induced him to emphasise the fact that Australia and New Zealand,, though yet in their infancy, with a population of only five millions, were the third largest purchasers of British products, only India and Germany exceeding them, though India's population was 239 s millions and Germany's.sixty millions. He believed that while the limit of trade between Great Britain and Continental countries had been almost reached, trade with Australia and New Zealand would be ever an expanding one. It Was difficult to form any conception as to what even the next 25 years would do in the way of development of those countries. It was obvious that the teeming millions inhabiting Germany other highly protective Continental countries must increase their manufacturing industries in order to provide employment for the everincreasing population. British statesmen and people ought to carefully consider that it was Jalso an extraordinary fact that Australia |was only behind Germany in purchasing ability, and already purchased half as much as India purchased.

Received May 2, 11.28 p.m. LONDON, May 2,

Continuing, Sir J. G. Ward said he Supported preference for business and imperial reasons. New Zealand's preference had been given eritirely •as a matter of sentiment, kinship .and attachment to the Empire. Eighty per cent, of the New ZJealanders were British. Therefore it was not unnatural that they should display this splendid feelingjof sentiment without under-valuing that force. As a plain business Jman he was unable to shut his eyes to the factjthatsentiment alone, although a great bond of union, was insufficient to build up and solidify a great empire. He believed that thefpowerful introduction of the self-interest of the peoples in different parts of the Empire would make the sentimental tie now existing much stronger. Rightly regarded, preference would prove advantageous both to the Motherland and the colonies. If the colonies, who were still in their infancy, now do trade between £140,000,000 and £150,000,000, what may we expect this to grow to under favourable conditions and under the stimulating influence of preference. It would be to England's advantage to haVe preference, even if it necessitated some preliminary sacrifice of foreign trade, because it. would be replaced by at least £>n equai amount in increased trade. The colonies and Britain ought to imitate foreign countries, and establish British consulates or trade correspondents in the British colonies. Almost every foreign country had consuls in Australasia. It would be similarly advantageous if British consuls or something akin were established in each town where British merchants could obtain full and detailed information on any commercial matter. <- Mr Lloyd ueorge interjected: "A number of such appointments have already been made." Sir Jospeh wanted to see the vitality of British countries far from the great British centre so that ourj'people might not be behind other competitors in any respect. Sir Joseph impressed the conference, especially the British statesmen, with the imperative necessity for the colonies and the Motherland being brought closer together. He had a mortal hatred of toll bars. He had only seen one during 'at decade, and J thatjjwas while he was driving from London to Crystal Palace recently. A greater one stood on the^'Highway of Commerce" between England and her dependencies. He referred to the Suez Canal, and said it was worthy of consideration whethar it would not pay the British Empire and France as the controlling Powers, if they

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agreed -to ( pay .a .dividend to the shareholders, iSO .that ships sailing the British and French .flag might ,pass through ,free of charge or at nominal.charges. .The colonial producers would then be enabled to send perishable products in tramp steamers through the canal instead of round Cape Horn or other routes This would save. time, besides proving advantageous to the products exported. Then again the improved facilities would be certain to lead to increased trade with New Zealand. He would be prepared to assist to provide the sum required. He urged that Britain should join Australia, (Canada and New Zealand in an improved steam naval service between them. He had nothing to say against the existing services, bat had his eye specially on a service across the Atlantic and Pacific, via Vancouver