Mr Deakin Emphatic.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 104, 6 May 1907, Page 5

Mr Deakin Emphatic.

Mr Dealun, in a letter to the Times, emphasises that Australian preference is a mere forerunner, a preliminary overture in no way satisfying Australian desires since a large majority of the electors on the rolls approye his programme, which in due course »v ill be submitted to Pariament.

Mr Hoffmeyer's ProposaS. Mr Iloffmeyer, speaking at Wellington, Cape Colony, said the Bond could not be expected to show an idolatrous worship for the Empire like Britishers, but had a real interest in its maintenance and that of the navy as a means to that end. At the Conference in 1887 he originated approval of a differential duty by England and the colonies on foreign goods for the benefit of the navy, such duties working reciprocally. China's awakening because of the Russo Japanese war necessitated a powerful fleet. Party Opinions. Received May 5, 4.4 p.m. London, May 4. The Daily Chronicle asserts that Mr Balfour's alteration of food taxes is a gigantic scheme for relieving the direct taxpayer at the cost of poorer members of the community. The Times makes a strong onslaught on Britain's fiscal system which it alleges is the crudest known among civilised men, namely a shilling income tax, is absurd with imports exceeding the value of things taxed upon a very small number of articles. The Standard says Government refusing to entertain reciprocal preference has given Mr Balfour the greatest opportunity of his life and lie lias lost no time in assuring the country that he is determined to utilise it to the utmost. The Telegraph says the speech may prove a turning point in the fortunes of parties. Henceforth those desiring closer association between sister nations and the Motherland must vote Unionist, and those hostile who are indifferent to maintenance of the Empire must vote Radical. The Westminster Gazette says Mr Balfour's small taxes which no one will feel are chimerical, and would lead into the morass of protection.

| The Westminster Gazette is glad Mr [ Asquith does not take the view expressed 1 by Messrs Cox and Wedgwood, Commoners, that the Impsrial Government's participation in such schemes as outlined by Sir Joseph Ward in the direction of improved communications and reduction in Suez Canal dues, etc., would be worse than preference, and vetos such participation as fatal. A large part of our work is as path finders and road makers in new countries. The principle of freetrade seeks the utmost freedom and facility of trade, and can be applied by making channels of trade where private enterprise for the moment does not suhice. Mr Smartt described Mr Asquith's speech as a brilliant piece of special pleading. The old attachment to the Motherland was diminishing in the colonies, and fresh ties were needed. The Empire would not hold together unless regard was paid to local conditions and local sentiment. Sir Wilfrid Laurier did not sympathise with Mr Deakin's support of Mr Hofmeyer's proposal, fearing its adoption would dislocate the Canadian tariff. Sir Joseph Ward hesitated to express approval. * TSio Angry Lyne. The precis of the conclusion of Sir W. Lyne'3 speech wa3 only issued on Friday evening. He said means must be found to secure closer unity in commerce. The younger generation had not the instinctive attachment to tho Mother Country as the one that is now guardian of the Empire's outposts. Ho warned the British Government that trade was slipping away. Whtn ho left nearly halt the shipping of Sydney was foreign. He was confident this question would be taken ,up throughout the length and breadth of the Empire despite Mr Asquith's discouragment. Though mometarily eclipsed the cause of reciprocity of trade and preference would certainly eventually win. Australians as kith and kin to the Motherland resented being treated on tho same footing as foreigners. It was possible in connection with foodstuffs to assist tho colonies at tie foreigners' expense without any cost to the British consumer, perhaps possible to raise revenue and assist old age pensions. A great shrinkage of British trade was inevitable owing to the high foreign tariff walls of foreigners who would not retaliate, since they required our wide market. Consolidation of the United States, tho establishment of the Commonwealth, and the early federation of South Africa were all examples tho British Empire might follow. Mr Asciuith's basic principle was th?t Free Trade was adopted fifty years ago, and still held the field. Sir W. Lyne held that Free Trade is unsuitable now and must not bo accepted as an inherited dogma. Tho Empire was valuable, and must be cemented by ties of kinship anci. commerce. He recalled Lord Carnarvon's phrase, " All products of nature aro found within the Empire," and the units of the Empire are capable of being marvellously united in sympathy and sentiment. Australia's preference was a modest step towards the goal of the union policy. Blundering, though possible in case of war was probably disastrous in commerco. Australia's ten per cent pre- i ference was really a larger advantage i than Canada offered. Ho thought some I special consideration might be extended I

to Australian wine. Tie emphasized tho importance of providing more rapid communication with Australia.