SYDNEY CONGRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9598, 18 September 1909, Page 5

SYDNEY CONGRESS.

DELEGATES ENTERTAINED.

Received September 17, 9.20 a.m. SYDNEY, Septemner 17. The delegates to the Commercial Congress were entertained at a banquet in the Town Hall. There was a brilliant gathering, including the Ear] of Dudley (Governor General of the Commonwealth), Lord Chelmsford (Governor of New South Wales), and Mr Deakin, Federal Premier. Lord Dudley said' the occurrence of the Imperial Defence. Press and Commerce Conferences within a few months illustrated the rapid march of events towards a larger measure of Imperial unity and stability. Dealing with the necessity of consolidating and strengthening the industrial and commercial forces oi the Empire, Lcrd Dudley declared that in the future struggle for commercial supremacy, Britain could not find any resting-place in the achievements of the past. To stand still, or even to advance slowly, was to invite defeat. Mr Deakin, in a brilliant acade> mical speech, dealing with the importance of the congress, and of the commercial and producing interests to the Empire's development, said Britain had a great commerce —let them share and strengthen it. It was to the commercial and producing in* terests that he looked for the building up of the Empire, especially, this portion of it Referring to the preference resolutions adopted by the congress, the speaker said if the Old Country found that it had not been going on lines best adapted to the rest of the Empire, he was sure it would find lines more suitable. From the spirit displayed at the meeting held during the week, he believed they would ultimately come to a conclusion satisfactory to all.

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

RESOLUTIONS CARRIED,

Received September 17, 11 30 p m. SYDNEY, September 17. The Congress carried motions that duties on travellers' samples should be refunded on travellers' departure within twelve months; that the colonies be requested to prohibit the entry of goods not of British origin, but bearing false marks to indicate that they were of such origin, and that the British Government be asked to introduce a protective clause to alt cjmmercial treaties; that thera should be a uniform system of weights and measures; that steps should be taken to have a Stateowned cable between Britain and Canada, and endeavourb be made to obtain a substantial reduction in cables [[rates, especially the press rates;, that the various Governments should take steps to have judgments made inforcable throughout the Empire, that there be a uniform declaration of the origin and value of goods; that the Congress reaffirms its previous resolution with regard to the formation of conciliation ard arbitration boards in trade disputes; that the Australian Governments be requested to limit tho size of wheat bags so as to contain 200 pounds; that a lighthouse be established on Cocos Island at the j.int expense ot the Imperial, Indian, Ceylon and Commonwealth Governments. On the motion of Mr Smith (In veroargill) it was resolved that a lighthouse shotild be erected on the Snares, maintained by Australia and New Zealand.

A motion to abolish the duties on trade catalogues was withdrawn.

ENCOURAGEMENT OF EMIGRATION.

Received September 17, 10.10 p.m. SYDNEY, September 17. Mr Spicer moved urging the Home and Colonial Governments to consider what further or better steps than at present exist shnuld be taken to elaborate the general States. He added that a scheme at reduced rates would encourage the emigration ot suitable settlers to the British Dominions. He said that if those who come from the Mother Country «>ere not misinformed there were powerful parlies in some of the States of the Commowealth who so far from desiring immigrants seek to curb the inflow of new settlers. That was an attitude he could understand if any of the Australian States were approximately peopled up to the full capacity. Australia for Australians in its absolute sense represents limited ambition. It forebodes the possibility of future enervations. He would rather see Australia for Australians and Britons; a whole-hearted welcome extended to new chums, and a determination to make the fullest use of these natural, resources "with which the Commonwealth was no richly endowed. To""Canada must be awarded the palm for having offered the most generous attractions to British immigrants. The result was seen in the nine-fold growth of the stream of immigrants. When Australia'borrowed most for reproductive works she had more attractions for British immigrants, so when she temporarily retired as a borrower the stream of emigration became sluggish. Canada on the other hand has digested heavy amounts of British capital, while in 1906 it wae estimated that not less than 40 millions was inves*,ed in corporation anc industrial interests in the Dominion. As the flow of capital gatheret strength so the tide of immigratior had risen. IJTMr Ban* (Dunedin) supported tin motion. The only alternative to en courage immigration was to sei themselves in the course of tin next ten years working for eithe Japanese or German employers. The motion was carried.