PREFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8445, 18 May 1907, Page 5

PREFERENCE.

1 SIR WILLIAM LYMES WfEWS. BRITISH GOVERNMENT CALLOUS. Beceived May 17, :B.&7;ajm. LONDON, May 16. Sir William Lyne, Commonwealth Minister for Trade and Customs, interviewed, considers that the Government has adopted a callous attitude towards preference. He hopes that the discussion will make ihe [British people seriously consider ttihe iquestion. He is doubtful whether >good results will be obtained from a secretariat worked by the Colonial Office.' He regretted that the Conference did [ not consider that Pacific lalands ought to be included within the juris-; diction of the Australian coastal, trade. ' Sir William Lyne addressed a crowded meeting of the London' Chamber of Commerce. He promised! a hearty welcome to all members who visit Australia in connection with; the Congress of Chambers of Commerce in 1909. He complained of the ; action of the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Asquith) in re-asserting i the fiction that the Premiers de-, manded preference in raw materials required for British manufactures.! Sir William Lyne insisted that Britain's trade in Australia was not increasing with the same rapidity as was that of foreigners. He also dwelt on the unparalleled prosperity of Australia. He was enthusiastically applauded.