BRITISH TRADE.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 238, 22 January 1898, Page 3

BRITISH TRADE.

ILLATIONS WITH THE COLONIES. SPEECH BY MR CHAMBERLAIN. London, January 19. Mr Ciiamberlain has been entertained at a banquet by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. In the course of his speech, Mr Chamberlain said that during the last few years trade had been imperilled by monopolies ■which excluded British enterprise. In 12 years Germany had increased her empire sixfold, and France fourfold, while Great Britain had increased hers one-third. Great Britain had deferred to the sensibilities of her allies until she was the best-hated nation in Europe. Mr Chamberlain said closer relations with the colonies were essential, and that Great Britain was prepared to meet the colonies half way without any assurance of immediate pecuniary gain, looking to future reward in tho shape of tho transformation of Great Britain's position of splendid isolation into a British alliance. He added that he hoped the forthcoming international conference to deal with the abolition of sugar bounties would prove successful. If it failed countervailing duties would have to be im posed. This would involve serious treaty questions and interfere with trade. It had been decided that a very large grant would have to be made to the "West Indian sugargrowers to enable them to meet the crisis until the Powers recognised the impolicy of the existing system.