THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8437, 8 May 1907, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Received May 7, 9.57 p.m. LONDON, May 7. The Imperial Conference, has Resumed. ■"■•'''' ; .'.',...

Dr. Jameson said he hoped that Af r Lloyd-George would give a moire sympathetic answer with regard to preference than Mr Asquith's,.; which was a decisive refusal. He moved a further resolution, "thafyVi:WhUe affirming the resolution of 1902, the Conference considered that, as the British Government, trough the South African Customs Union, t allowed preference against foreigners to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and all other British possessions which granted reciprocity to the British Government should now take into consideration the granting of a like preferece to all portions of the Empire on the present dutiable articles in the British tariffs." Sir Wilfrid Laurier thought that consideration of the resolution might be postponed until the main resolution had been considered.

Mr Lloyd-George's very elaborate and, able speech on the question of preference occupied three hours, necessitating another day's debate te enable Mr Churchill to speak. It is believed that the Government will propose vague, non-committal resolutions. Received May 7, 11.18 p.m. LONDON, May 7. Mr Lloyd-George, in his speech, said that the Government were willing to consider any suggestions, though nothing would induce them to change the position [regarding the United Kingdom's tariff. He challenged Sir William Lyne's smart statements and arguments and reviewed the United Kingdom's, position, which could be gauged by the growth of the exports and imports. The Protectionist rivals - admitted that while the British trade with the rest of the colonies was satisfactory. Australia's position was unsatisfactory, and called for full enquiry. The United,.-Kingdom's exports and manufactures were much higher per head than those of France. Germany,,.-and the United States. Her tonnage and shipping was en-, ormously greater. . Referring to ,Sir William Lyne's remarks in reference to foreign shipping in Australian waters, Mr George said that the total entrances and clearances of oversea trade to Australian ports in 1905 were under two million tons, whilst the shipping under the British flag was five and a half millions. The Imperial Government might have ignored the mandate given to Mr Deakin at the last election in favourof Protection and preference and might have endeavoured to induce the, conference to adopt a policy of Freetrade, within the Empire, which some could not have approved.." of, without proving false to theirjlpedple, Sir William Lyne had urged a commercial union of the whole Enipire, citing precedents, but in ' all these cases all tolls and tariffs w^ere^- "removed. Had a Freelrade resolution been proposed and refused, the Press might have declared that the colonies refused to listen to the Motherland's appeal to be put on equal terms with her children, who slammed the door in the old mother's face. .The Government had not adopted that course, recognising the unfairness of ignoring local conditions and exigencies, and did not wish to attempt to manoeuvre each other into a falge position. Since ■ all were in perfect accord regarding the obejet desired, it was better to try to discharge the political business of the Empire. The Government favoured a scheme for the development of inter-Imperial trade which did not inflict sacrifices ..on individual communities, creating discontent and discord and impairing true unity. He heartily agreed that the Empire would be a great gainer if much that was now bought abroad could be produced and purchased within the Empire. Thon part o&the surplus population now going- to foreign lands niight be kept within the Empire, adding to its strength. Such federation of free commonwealths wa3 worth some sacrifice. He only differed as regards ways • and means. He was convinced that a tax on food meant casting an undue share of sacrifice on the poorest part of the population.