PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12708, 10 November 1904, Page 5

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

By Telegraph.—Preisa Association Copyright, (Received Kovetnber S, 10.23 p.m.) London, November 9.' The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Austin Chamberlain) has informed the West Indies Committee that it is impossible. to entertain a proposal to give colonial spirit ft tariff preference. SIR EDWARD GREY'S VIEWS. (Escclyed November ID, 12,5 1.01.) / ' , • London, November 9, Sir Edward Grey, : . speaking at Coventry, condemned : both retaliation and preferential trade. He said the colonies ought frankly to be told that it is impossible to, advantageously discuss any scheme of preference until the British manufactures are received into the colonial markets on equal terms with the colonial manufactures. Any bargain ' with the colonies short of free trade would '■ be sure to occasion friction and discontent. -.v.- ' THE APPEAL OF BRITISH LABOUR. Melboubne, November 9. , Mr. Watson has received from Mr. MacDonald, secretary of the British Labour Representation Committee, i' copy of the letter mentioned in the cablegrams last month, dealing' with, the question of preferential j trade,...- •, . f4/<-^ [Th« cablegram referred to said, that j British workers hoped that Australian labour would not support a policy which'the'organised labour of the Motherland considered ut be surrounded with most mali influences:, and certain to create strife where, ; now there was harmony, and opposition where now. there was fraternal feeling. Australia's preference would bo . illusory, since she would retain the monopoly of her own markets. If. her markets. were opened ' freely to British imports, then there Would j bo some show of reason and justice in.the ; campaign to force Britishers to benefit Aus- i tralians by submitting to a high cost of , living. The experience of European labour was that protection only forged more chains for the wage-earners.] ' , i- , 1 i