PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 16, 19 January 1905, Page 5

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

SOME INTERESTING VIEWS. COMMERCIAL VERSUS POLITICAL UNION. (Received 8.47 a.m.) LONDON, January 18. Mr. R. P. Hardy, an actuary who has recently returned from .Australia, read a paper before the Colonial Institute on •Imperialism From the Australasian Standpoint." He contended that closer political union between the Mother Country and the colonies was not advisable, while a commercial union was both feasible and desirable. Any colonial preference given to the Mother Country on a basis of higher duties against foreigners would prove of little advantage to Great Britain, while it would be distinctly injurious to the colonies; but colonial"preference given by lowering duties against British imports would increase the prosperity of both the Mother Country and the colonies. The Duke of Argyll, who presided, said that if any preference which might be granted were found to be harmful it could be withdrawn. It was difficult to understand the fuss people were making. Mr. James, West Australian AgentGeneral, said that trade preferences would undoubtedly bring about a closer political union. ATTITUDE OP CANADA. LONDON, January 18. The late Governor-General of Canada j (Lord Minto), speaking at Minto House, Tin wick, Roxburghshire, said the ' Canadian statesmen would meet the British statesmen at the proposed ColoniaJ Conference with open arms; but if instead of encouragement Canada received only a bucket of cold water, she would be justified in entering into reciprocal trade arrangements with the United States.