ENGLAND'S COMMERCIAL TREATIES.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7868, 20 May 1891, Page 3

ENGLAND'S COMMERCIAL TREATIES.

A meeting of the Canterbury Industrial Association was held at the Corn Exchange last night, on which occasion a paper was read by Mr D. Bellhouse on "England's Commercial Treaties with Foreign Powers." The meeting was of a public nature, and, in addition to the members of the Association, there were present members of the Railway League and Railway Servants' Society, of the City Council, and Messrs J. Joyce and W. W. Tanner, M.H.R.'e. The chair was occupied by Mr G. T. Booth, who submitted apologies for absence from Mr W. B. Perceval, M.H.R., Mr M. Murphy, Secretary of the A. and P. Association, and Mr J. L. Scott, President of the Industrial Association.

The paper (by Mr Bellhouse) commenced by noting the fact that several of the commercial treaties made by Great Britain with Foreign Powers would expire next year—lß92—and the question was,- should these treaties be renewed in their present form. The question was of great importance to New Zealand and to the rest of the colonies, in view of the fact that to renew some of the treaties in their present form would be to perpetuate difficulties in the way of making commercial treaties between Qreat Britain and her Colonies and between the Colonies themselves. It was absolutely j necessary that there should be a strong expression of public opinion throughout the colonies on the matter; public meetings should be held, and the Home Government memorialised. One of the articles objected to was in the treaty made with the Ring of the Belgians on July 23rd, 1862, which was as follows:—" Articles, the produce or manufacture of Belgium, shall not be subject in the British Colonies to other or higher duties than those 'Which are or may be imposed upon similar articles of British origin." In the treaty with the Emperor of Germany on 30th May, 1865, the same stipulation was made as to the produce, &c., of the States of the Zollverein. In a return made to the House of Commons in 1883 it was shown that there were thirty-four treaties which embodied "most favored nation terms," and by these the colonies were bound. Mr Bellhouse then read an article from the London " Times," of November 28th, 1890, showing that the Agents-General of the colonies in response to a circular issued from the Foreign Office had expressed the opinion that the Belgian and German treaties already referred to should be terminated, and also that commercial treaties in future should not be binding on the colonies without colonial consent. Quotations were also given from " Young Australia" to show what the most "favored nation" clause meant in the colonies, and from a resolution passed by the Council of the Imperial Federation League to the effect that the treaties with Belgium and Germany should be terminated. In Canada the same action had been taken. In conclusion, Mr Bellhouse urged upon the Association the necessity of bringing the matter before the Government. He also urged upon the members of the House of Representatives to press the Government to memorialise the British Government on the Question. Further, he urged upoli the members the necessity of having a motion passed by the House of Representatives, as had been done in the Canadian House of Commons, pressing upon the Home Government the absolute necessity of abrogating the clauses from the treaties that prevent reciprocal relations being effected between England and her colonies or between the colonies themselves. The question for discussion by the people of the colonies was, should the colonies be free to make such commercial treaties as their interests dictated without reference to foreign Powers, or should they not ? And he urged them to speak out with no uncertain sound on this most important question. The Chairman observed that the question had been lucidly and plainly put before the meeting and was open for discussion by any who were present, as the meeting was not confined to members of the Association.

Mr A. G. Howlaxd said that the first thing which had to be done was to accord to Mr Bellhouse the thanks of the meeting and the Association for his highly interesting paper, which included much information new to New Zealand. He moved in that direction.

Mr. E. Smith seconded tho motion. Mr G. W. Russell then moved—" That this meeting affirms its opinion that it is desirable the Home Government, in making future treaties, or in reviewing existing treaties with foreign Powers, carefully protects the rights of the colonies so far as their power is concerned of making favored relations with each other and the Home Country." Mr C. J.. Rae seconded the motion, which was briefly spoken to by the mover and seconder, and Mr Joyce (who promised to bring the matter before the House of Parliament, and said that in 1873 or 1875 the Legislature had passed Acts permitting reciprocity between the Australian colonies), Mr Howlqpd and Mr Booth. Mr Bellhouse, in the course of bis reply, said he understood that if the objectionable clauses were abrogated from the treaties with Germany and Belgium, the remaining thirty-two Powers to whom the clauses applied, would not have the claim they possessed now. Alluding to the Act mentioned by Mr Joyce, he felt that if it were in existence, so long as the treaties remained, New Zealand could not reciprocate witAustralia without Belgium and Germany stepping in and claiming a similar right. He thanked the Association for having allowed him to bring the subject before the public, and supported the motion of Mr Russell. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr H. B. Km- moved—" That copies of the foregoing resolution be forwarded to the Premier, the members for Christchurch, and Mr Joyce, with the request that they will use their utmost endeavours to secure for the colonies freedom from the prejudicial clauses in the Trade Treaties between Great Britain and foreign nations. v Mr Cub-Stt seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and the meeting terminated.