PREFERENTIAL TARIFFS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1537, 22 July 1902, Page 3

PREFERENTIAL TARIFFS.

LONDON, July 19. Mr Chamberlain presided at the conference of Premiers.

Commercial trade relations, especially the fiscal <|uesition and the prospects of preferential tariffs between the Motherland and the colonies and b?tween the colonies themselves,were discussed. The debate occupied the whole sitting. Mr Seddon moved his preferential trade resolution. Sir E. Barton submitted a resolution, in general terms, that it is desirable to establish closer trade relations between the colonies and' the Motherland, and indicated sympathy for preferential re- / latious, without pledging Australia! to give such a concession in the im-l mediate future. He implied thatj an arrangement must be left to the, initiative of each Government and' Legislature, which must work out its own destiny. The discussion proceeded amicably. Mr Chamberlain modified his previous attitude, and, in a non-commit-tal statement, said the Government recognised the difficulties, and desired to proceed cautiously. H'e also saw it was impossible for one Government to bind its successors with regard to a fiscal policy. His remarks suggested a willingness to meet colonial concessions by liberal subsidies and bounties for objects of common interest. The formation- of defiuite proposals on the question will be reCommonwealth would be bound to served. The conference adjourned intil Tuesday. Sir E. Barton is gratitified that his attitude at the conference meets with the approval of Australia. He says of the proceedings that momentous questions were discussed, and that the results achieved will not be opposed to public opinion. There was no reason to fear that t*;e Commonwealth would be bound ta adopt courses out of harmony with public opinion, or without Parliament being consulted. Such action would be utterly at variance with his views. „