THE TRADE OF THE EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13325, 3 November 1906, Page 6

THE TRADE OF THE EMPIRE.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS . ENTERTAINED. THE VANCOUVER MAIL SERVICE. OUR RELATIONS WITH CANADA AND AUSTRALIA. [by telegraph.—own reporters.] Christcuurch, Friday. The Chamber of Commerce to-day entertained the oversea Commissioners at luncheon. The president (Mr. E. G. Staveley) proposed the Governor's health, and Lord Plunket very happily responded. In replying to the toast of his health, the Premier slated that he was fully as anxious as Mr. Reece had expressed himself to be the previous evening that the commercial relations between the Dominion and New Zealand should be knit closer and closer, but he wanted to make it quite clear that New Zealand had not stood in the way of a mail connection with Vancouver. ■ That responsibility was not New Zealand's. For the past seven years he had endeavoured to ensure a connection between Vancouver and New Zealand for mail purposes. For the past seven years there had been an offer on the Estimates of £20,000 a year to induce the Vancouver steamers to come to New Zealand. The difficulties mostly were connected with the mail service of Canada, He and Mr. Mills (manager of the Union Steam Ship Company) interviewed the Commonwealth Administration not many months ago, and expressed the desire that Brisbane should be left out, and the Vancouver boats proceed to New Zealand instead. Brisbane at one time was quite agreeable, but. Canada would not agree to Brisbane standing out. With Brisbane included in the mail service it was practically useless for New Zealand. He hoped, therefore, that Mr. Reece would impress upon Canada that New Zealand was quite willing to extend the hand of mail fellowship, but he did not wish to-be misunderstood. He must make it quite clear that. New Zealand also required the mail service across America. It would be a bad day for England if any of her dependencies declined to trade with other countries because they did nob fly the same Hags. Preferential trade within the Imperial zone was quite right anil proper, but they must not allow an impression to get abroad that trade was to be confined to their own territories alone. New Zealand wanted the Vancouver mail service, and wanted also the mail service via San Francisco to connect with the Motherland, but he said unreservedly that New Zealand wished to cement trade with Canada more than with America, (Applause.) Replying to the toast of " Our Guests," Sir John Gorst said England was a good customer for New Zealand. No obstacle was placed in the way ; no Customs duties were imposed, or anything of that kind. Great Britain recognised that New Zealand was fiscally independent, and the Mother Country had no right to interfere; but on Great Britain's side there was no restriction whatever.

Air. T. H. Reeee delivered a glowing and eloquent eulogium of his native land and its manifold beauties. He was proud to be a Canadian, but there was another pride" which arose in the breast of every true Canadian, and that was the pride of forming a link of the great and grand old Empire. (Applause.) Canada was a land 1 with vast potentialities, and a great future.. In the words of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the present century belonged to Canada as the* last belonged to America, and Canada should develop during this century, as'. America had done in the past. The United States was an overpowering land, and he questioned that British statesmen realised that fully. Stripped of her colonial possessions, the Motherland would be com-" pletely dominated by that great nation 'of the same breed. It would be a sad day for the Motherland should she lose one foqV of her colonial possessions. Her future: was centred in them. "Vi Sir Richard Baker said there was nt> doubt many were softy that the proposed' treaty between the Commonwealth and New Zealand was not carried into effect. No' doubt it was rejected because it was notthought to be beneficial to New Zealand and he believed the Federal Parliament, would have taken the same action. As to 1 trade with New Zealand, he would like to see more fruit and wine imported from 1 South Australia. Fruit was dear here, but' in South Australia the best grapes could be bought for id a lb. ..,j