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Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 116, 17 May 1907, Page 5

ter for Trade and Customs, interviewed, considers that the Government has adopted a callous attitude towards preference. He hopes that tho discussion will make the British people seriously considor the question. Ho is doubtful whether good results will be obtained from a secretariat worked by the Colonial Office. He regretted that the Conferonco did not consider what Pacific Islands ought to be included within the jurisdiction of the Australian coastal trade. Sir Wm. Lyne addressed a crowded meeting of the London Chamber of Commorce. He promised a hearty welcome to all members who visit Australia in connection with tho Congress of Chambers of Commerce in 1909. He complained of tho action of the Chancellor of tho Exchequer (Mr. Asquith) in reasseiting tho fiction that the Premiers demanded preferonce in raw materials required for British manufactures. Sir Wm. Lyne insisted that Britain's trade in Australia was not increasing with tho same rapidity as was that ol foreigners. Ho also dwelt on Iho unparalleled prosperity of Australia. TCo was enthusiastically applauded. NO DICTATION. LONDON, 16th May. Speaking at the New Zealanders' dinner, Sir Joseph Ward satd the Premiers did not expect their views on preference to bo accepted. They were content to lay the principle beforo the Motherland, but were not egotistical enough to say "You must follow." Sir Joseph Ward, on being presented at Bristol with the Freedom of the City, spoke of the influence of coloniala in rejuvenating and strengthening the Motherland. Ho advocated the development of inter-Imperial trade as % means of closer union. MR. HALDANE'S ESTIMATE. ! A SUFFRAGIST INTERRUPTION, j FORCING A POLICY. IS IT A DEMOCRATIC WAY? (Received May 17, 9.8 a.m.) LONDON, 16h May. The Daily Chronicle thinks that tho \ conference has been unusually fruitful, compared with its 'predecessors. The Westminster Gazette comments on Mr. Doakln and Dr. Jameson very severely, and asks whether it is fair thct the forty millions in tho United Kingdom should b» coerced, by appeals to tho patriotism of the Empire, into submittiug to taxation for the benefit of colonial fariuors, who are already prosperous. "Do the colonies," writes tho Gazette, "wish that their democratic statesmen should moke cause with the Conservative and anti-democratic parties to further a policy which will raise tho prices of the necessaries of life? Freedom is greater than Froetrado. England | never attemped to forco her policy upon tho self-governing colonies." I Mr. Holdane (Minister for War), speaking at a meeting in London, said the Government had shown at the conference that tho Liberals had a constructive policy. They had done a great deal of business, and had laid the foundations of v great dial more. Twenty suffragists howled Mr. Haltlane down, and were expelled amid great excitement.