IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 59, 20 February 1911, Page 1

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

ABSENT FROM THE CONFERENCE. COMMENT OF LEADING JOURNALS. ' (nsss ASSOCIATION.—COPY kIG Hi. j London, Feb. 18. “The Times,” commenting on the Imperial Conference, says that while Australia and New Zealan d have suggested a number of subjects for discussion, and South Africa half as many, Canada does not consider any question of suffi cient urgency for suggestion. “The Times” adds that Imperial preference, in which Canada was keenly interested, is barred, though . South Africa originally proposed it. Hitherto this has been a prominent feature in the conferences. Resolutions dealing with interImperial reciprocity were moved by Australia, New Zealand, and Cape Colony, and supported by all the others, but the door was banged, bolted, and barred by Mr. Asquith, Mr. Llpyd George, and Mr. Churchill. . These gentlemen still control the situation, and it is not surpris ing that the dominions should not expose themselves to another rebuff. Canada emphasised her hope lessness by seeking elsewhere what she vainly sought here. Mr. Asquith's argument at the last conference was that the Motherland returned |the colonial preference by bearing the cost of defending the donations. South Africa in tended to aeply, “We will relieve you of defence and take back the . preferences we gave.” “ The Thues ” i&ges that the employment created by preference would not be hoirijtensated by any such payment through the Excheq- J uer. The spirit of preference was not banished from the conference. Australia kept the torch alight. These suggestions were at the head of the lists of subjects submitted, but the Colonial Office has placed them low down on the agenda - paper. “ The Times ” comments on New t Zealand's desire for an open con -I ference.

THE CRUEL STEPMOTHER. The “ Westminster Gazette ” hold* the fact of great importance that preference is not figuring on the agenda paper, but asks if any serious man following the course of the conferences believes that if the dominions thought preference vital to the Empire they would not include it on the agenda paper and have it out with the cruel stepmother. It is not to be supposed that the Colonial Premiers suppressed tiie expression of their Sense of wrong which, according to the tariff reformers, animates the dominions. It is more probable that the idea of obtaining preference played a much smaller part in the politics of the dominions than the tariff reformers think. COBDENISM TO STEW IN ITS OWN JUICE. The “ Pall Mall Gazette, declares that the conference agenda paper shows how the heart has 'bafta taken out of the institution blank sullen veto which confronted the chief aspirations of the donrnions. They have apparently de cided to let Cobdenism stew in its own juice and discontinue knocking at a door which was barred with so much animus. STATUS OF THE DOMINIONS. II I The “ Daily Mail ’’ says the most interesting proposals of New Zealand are intended to raise the po- J litical status of the dominions in accordance with their rapid development. The necessity of consul’ ing the dominions on foreign affairs is emphasised by Australia’s protest against the Declaration of London. SIR GEORGE REID INTER VIEWED. Sir George Reid, in an interview on Australian preference, said that it was of substantial value to the Motherland, involving as it did the surrender of revenue worth a mil lion. The Australians favoured, the policy, but would make no demand of any kind, feeling very

strongly that the Motherland must decide in what direction her advantage lies. The trend of Australian opinion was that if preference proved a beneficial policy to the Motherland, then Australia would gladly enter into it with her. It must be remembered that the Ans tralian’s policy was one of protection. It would be absurd to ex-1 pect that they would under any system of mutual preference de ; stroy their young industries or al-| low them to be destroyed. Such j r an expectation would be idle, but | they have proved that they can! give substantial preference without j any quid pro quo/as a matter of; sentiment. He added that he | could not conceive of a healthier i state of loyalty than that which j exists on a sentiment which is 1 sometimes stronger than more ma - terial bonds which may chafe as well as unite- The harmony was so wonderful that a heavy onus, would be placed on him who woull improve it by new methods, though an evolution of some kind was certain. SCOPE OF THE CONFERENCE. (Received 20, 8.5 a.m.) London, Feb. 19. The Daily Chronicle, discussing, the Imperial Conference, maintains; that the Blue Book shows there is, a strikingly great scope for concerted closer inter-imperial action, entirely apart from preference, and: forming a conclusive refutation of i the delusion that without a tax on, food there is nothing to hone or strike after in the domain of imperial politics. The ‘Daily News’* declares the: conference has an ambitious programme. *