PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12301, 19 June 1903, Page 5

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

GOVERNOR RAWSON'S MESSAGE.

SIR JOHN SEE EXPLAINS.

DISCUSSION IN THE

COMMONS.

,Ey Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright.

(Received Jtuio 18, 11.9 p.m.)

London, June 18. Replying to the Westminster Gazette Sir John See, Premier of New South Wales, has cabled that his Government's reference to the declaration of the British Government was suggested by Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Balfour's speeches, thereupon the Westminster Gazette blamed Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Balfour for raising false hopes, possibly leading to broken pledges and colonial reproaches of bad faith.

Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman moved the adjournment of the House of Commons with a view to correcting Sir John See's misunderstanding and making it clear that the speeches of Messrs. Chamberlain and Balfour were isolated expressions, nowise committing the Cabinet, inasmuch as the House had been assured that, pending the Government inquiry, no conclusion would be formed and no action taken except after debate. Paraphrasing the Westminster Gazette comments, he endeavoured to discuss the opinion of the colonies regarding a policy as between Britain and the world, but Mr. Chamberlain interposing, the Speaker restricted Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man to the New South Wales Government's misunderstanding.

Sydney, June 18.

Mr. Haynes has given >iotice of motion to the effect that Governor Person's despatch relative to preferential trade was a misrepresentation of public opinion. Mr. Willis has also given notice of a motion, that the House approves of preferential trade.

THE GOVERNMENT INQUIRY.

(Received June 18. 11.26 p.m.)

London, June 17. Mr. Balfour has announced that the various departments concerned have begun their inquiry into the fiscal system. The Government does not propose to lay down any limitations to the inquiry.

ME. SEDDON'S THREAT.

(Received .Tune 18, 11.26. p.m.)

London, June 17.

In the House of Commons Mr. Chamberlain, replying to Mr. Labouchere regarding Mr. Seddon's threat, said that in a few special cases the Motherland had negotiated, on behalf of the colonies, reciprocal arrangements with foreign Powers, but that in nowise impaired the colonies' right to make such arrangements as they deemed fit with the Motherland or each other.

TACTICS OF THE OPPOSITION.

London. June 17.

The Opposition have decided not to propose a vote of censure in the House of Commons on Mr. Chamberlain's policy owing to the unitf of Unionists in favour of the proposed inquiry. The Opposition now prefer to begin a campaign in the country. ACTION OP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. (Received June 19, 1.12 a.m.) Melbourne, June 18. Mr. Deakin, on behalf of Sir E. Barton, informed the House that if time permitted this session, the Government would make proposals in regard to preferential trade, but the Government did not anticipate having an opportunity before the general elections. A FINE SCHEME. Adelaide, June 18. Mr. Russell French, the retiring President of the inter-State Chambers of Commerce Conference, said he considered Mr. Chamberlain's preferential scheme a fine one. DISCUSSION BY WELLINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. [BY telegraph,—PßESS ASSOCIATION.] WEllington, Thursday, At a, meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day, the president (Mr. D. J. Nathan) delivered an address on the question of preferential trade, strongly urging reciprocity within the Empire. He moved, " That tills Chamber recognises that the principle of preferential trade between the United Kingdom and His Majesty's dominions beyond the seas wonJd stimulate and facilitate mutual intercourse, and would promote the development of the resources and industries of the several parts of the Empire." After a long discussion, an adjournment was made for two weeks, an amendment to discuss the proposals of the chairman at a later meeting having been moved.