PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12759, 9 January 1905, Page 5

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

By Telegraph Press Association,—Copyright. (Ecceived January 8, C.4 p.m.) London, January 8. The Daily Chronicle says that Mr. Reid's reply to Mr. Grainger's statement breathes the same spirit as Sir Wilfrid Laurier's words, that Cana- 1 dian loyalty is not for sale.. j ! MR, GRAINGER'S REMARKABLE STATEMENT. Melbourne, January 7. The Prime Minister, Mr. Reid, referring to the statement made by the Agent-General '< for South Australia (Mr. Grainger), that if the Mother.Country does not hasten to en- ' ter into preferential arrangements with the colonies, Australia will enter into a eordmer- ■ cial treaty with some other country, says that it is one of the silliest utterances ever made by an Australian Agent-General, and "that is saying a great deal." It was inconceivable, lie added, that the Commonwealth would make a commercial treaty with any Power other than Britain. To do that, Australia would have to be oblivious of the fact that Britain keeps her ports open for the products of Australia. LETTER FROM MR, CHAMBERLAIN. THE SWING OP THE PENDULUM. Sydney January 7. Mr. Chamberlain, in a letter received here, i says: —■" The statement so freely made by i those whose, interest in the welfare of the i Empire, as a whole, lias always been of , doubtful quality, that the colonies are selfishly seeking their own advantage, and, i while demanding great sacrifices from. Britain, would make no adequate return., is a. libel upon all our fellow subjects across the '' seas. The Unionist party have been in ' power for an exceptional period, and the - Opposition consequently are impatient to • take their places, and, speaking for myself, ■ I shall not be sorry if the ordinary swing of the pendulum gives them the opportunity of showing what really, is the character of their alternative policy. I know the people in this country are an Imperial people, and will not long v consent to be governed by Little England ideas. A short time of Opposition would invigorate and unite our own party. Then, on their return to power, I should look forward to the triumph of our policy as a question of months rather than of | years."