THE COLONIAL PREMIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12002, 26 June 1902, Page 5

THE COLONIAL PREMIERS.

VISIT" tb &tO&E-bft-TKENT. S?Bißfigg by HjaSSftS: bar- . TOtt ANt> SEDDO'fr. THE EMPIRES TRADE; fey tfleferafefii-P'reW Associatfon.-Copyrl&ht ■•■'*■*-. - London, June 25. M . Nortti Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce entertained the colonial, Premier, at, luncheon, at Stoke-on-Trent. Mr. Barton, in responding to the toast of the colonies, said a vast^ number of colonials regarded fiscal policies, except as a sequence to moral principles, ,as expedients. How that would influence him. at the .Imperial Conference was' a matter, of. speculation . even . with* himself. England's policy. ought to be directed to the cheapening of steam, telegraphic and mall transit between the .Motherland, and the colonies. ..He emphasised, the .ilj limitable resources, production and trade of the Commonwealth. , Mr. Seddori said.the colonies did not desire to raise the fiscal question and place parties in the Motherland in mutual antagonism. They desired to help to bind all together. Subsidies to..steamers carrying British goods would be no interference with free trade or protection. (Received June 26, 0.10 a.m.) * . / London, . June , 25.,. •At . the- United .Empire Trade League's luncheon Mr. James Lowther occupied the chair. Lord ..rjalsbury.proposed the toast of- the Empire's trade. . . , . Mi-. Barton said he deprecated the idea of unduly Considering the outside .nations in., connection with the trade problems, affecting the common interests of the Empire. In the event of an emergency similar to the South African trouble Australians were prepared to do much more than heretofore; -. .Mr. Seddon also spoke. .He said the w lost, British trade ought to be attracted .back to,, British channels. New Zealand's offer of preference without asking a return represented 3 pe'r cent: upon five millions' worth of trade. This would hot be unimportant if devoted to strengthening the navy. He declared that free trade trough out the Empire was impossible" owing to financial Considerations, .. . ..,.,..