The Wailtato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, AUG. 6, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3130, 6 August 1892, Page 2

The Wailtato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, AUG. 6, 1892.

Tiie Empire Trade League, of which .Mr Howard Vincent is the moving spirit, invited the Agents General of the eoloiues to attend a conference being held under the auspices of that body, and give short addresses on the products of the countries they represent. I'he object was to bring prominently before the statesmen and people of the Empire that it is possible to produce within its borders all the requirements of the people. Several of the colouial representatives attended, and some spoke. Our AgentGeneral (Mr Percival) was not present, but he forwarded a pamphlet setting forth the producing power of New Zealand. The objects of the League are to secure the establishment of a system of preferential reduction of duties in all parts of the Empire in favour of the productions of countries under the flag. As regards the' United Kingdom the object of the League is to secure the imposition of a duty on all food supply of foreign origin,which at the present time goes into consumption free of duty. We are not clear as to whether it is proposed that England shall deal similarly with other raw material—such as cotton, wool jute etc., imported for conversion into merchantable goods. It reauires no argument to convince the densest mind, that were such at scheme given effect to it would greatly benefit the colonies, as it would do away with the competition of foreign producers,and thus secure a better price for their productions. This means, of course, increased cost of living to the population, which we very much doubt if any statesman of the day would have the temerity to suggest. Hn might argue that the return in the shape of increased commerce with the colonies would put matters right ; J but the certainty of additional cost of living would more than counter-! balance the uncertainty of indirect profit in the minds of the manufacturing classes. Theie was a concensus of opinion amongst the speakers as to the proposition of khe League, that the Empire could produce all its requirements. Sir C. Tupper, the High Commissioner for Canada, was present at the conference, and stated that without doubt all the food required to be imported by Great Britain coul»l be supplied to her by her colonies and possessions, and he expressed the unqualified opinion that the competition between India, Canada, and the Australasian Colonies would result in no increase in the price of these commodities, provided sufficient notice were given of the intention to impose a duty on foreign grain. The adoption of the proposed duty would strike mainly at the United States, and neither Canada nor the United Kingdom have any cause for delicacy in returning the blows which the recent policy of the Kepublic has struck at the commerce of both. In support of Sir 0. Tappers' assertion that f he price of grain to the consumer would not be increased, there is the fact that the States' capacity to export is becoming yearly more restricted, owing, in the first place, to the enormous increase in population, and, in the second, to the partial exhaustion of|her wheat land by reckle,ss farming. Speakiug from a colonial point of, View we can but regret that we are forced to the opinion that the aspirations of the League are at the present time incapable of fulfilment, and that until some unforeseen momentum is given to the movement are likely to remain so for many years. Lord Salisbury was very generally condemned only a short time back for suggesting that retaliatory duties against other highly protective countries had almost become a necessity, although he was careful to qualify his statement by excluding food products. We believe, however, that there is hope that the aims of those who are sowing the seed of Imperial Federation will be eventually realised. That it is to the interests of all that this should be brought about is not disputed but no man has yet suggested a practicable scheme, and when such a one has been evolved much education of the people will become necessary before it will be carried out. The first step is unquestionably fiscal alliance. Again federation if it means anything means that each division of the Empire shall contribute to the cost of defending the federation. Before this can be, a scheme by which all shall be represented must be carried out. There must be an Imperial Parliament in the fullest sense.