SIR E. BARTON IN CANADA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12068, 11 September 1902, Page 5

SIR E. BARTON IN CANADA.

IMPERIAL DEFENCE. IMPORTANT SPEECHES. j ! T]y Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. j Ottawa, September 9. Sip. E. Barton was banqueted in Montreal. Lord Minto (Governor- J General of Canada) and three hun- j dred loading commercial people were present. The Federal Premier denied any intention of accepting the rumoured Appellate Court ship(Received September 11. 0.56 a.w..) Ottawa. September 10. At the Montreal banquet Sir E. Barton said the Conference expressly affirmed the principle of trade preference- The autonomous colonies will do their best to give substantial preference to British products, trusting the United Kingdom as far as possible to"* seize such opportunities as may arise to give a return. No member of the Conference tried to lay down a hard and fast rule or to demand an eye for an eye. Sir John Forrest said Canada and Australia were bound to vastly increase in population, and would demand a voice in the policy of the empire beyond the sea. If they were unwilling to contribute towards Imperial defence they would be unable to ask or have a say. So far as Australia was concerned he would not be afraid to speak out. Lord Minfco said surely if the Motherland was pledged to support her dependencies to the last man, she might fairly claim some care for the efficiency of their military organisation. That could best be obtained by a strict recognition of the colonial forces as territorial armies for the defence of their own possessions, and garrisoning the parts of the Empire to which they belonged, but should be the garrisons upon whose commanders, organisation, and efficiency the Imperial Government might justifiably rely in time of war. Lord Minto's declaration is considered likely to provoke a crisis with Sir W. Laurier, followed by a general election ■ arraying the French Canadians against the English provinces. (Received September 11. 1.3 a.m.) Montreal, September 10. It is reported here that Mr. Chamberlain's first demands for Imperial defence would have involved a Canadian contribution of 2,000,000 dollars annually, with an equivalent sum from Australia.