MR REID AT SHEFFIELD.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8707, 1 February 1894, Page 5

MR REID AT SHEFFIELD.

PNtt Aasociation-By Telegraph—Copyright.

London, January 31. Mr R. Reid, the Victorian delegate*, has accepted the invitation of the commercial n> en in Sheffield to discuss with them matters affecting Imperial trade. -

Speaking at a banquet given in his honour by-the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Mr Reid ridiculed the idea of a financial collapse in Australia under the fitrtss of disaster. He repudiated the suggestion as absurd. Hβ declared that millions had been spent on coastal defences in the colonies, aud some of the fortified ports were a credit to the Empire. It was important to England tOjsee that her commerce upon the high seas was amply protected. The fervent desire of the colonists was that atime should come when multitudes *ould move from Great Britain to Australasia, aud tbey wished to maintain *fceir connection with the Mother Country. The labour troubles, he wsetted, were <j ue t0 the overe&crcaohmentsof the men, and they *ere a partial cause of the reoent financial crisis. Sixty per cent, of the unionists in Victoria were re* **% without work, Australia had •own its wild oata and was now «u«ing upon a new career of prosperity.