THE CLOSING OF THE DOOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13488, 15 May 1907, Page 7

THE CLOSING OF THE DOOR.

BRITISH PEOPLE'S RIGHT. MR. DEAKIN IN AMIABLE MOOD. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. {Received May 14, 16.20 p.m.') •Losdok, May 14; The Homo Secretary (Mr. Herbert Gladstone) presided yesterday at a joint dinner given by the Liberal, Colonial, and the Palrncrston Clubs, at New College, Oxford,- to the colonial Premiers and Ministers. . :V v. Mr. Deakin, responding to tho toast, "The Oversea Dominions," said the people of the Motherland would recognise that the colonies in bringing forward proposals for preferential trade did so because they believed that- these proposals would be for the mutual advantage* of the Motherland and the colonics, and that the Premiers had on% ventured to recommend them in so far as they might be to their mutual advantage. Whether they were or not of mutual advantage it was for the people of the Motherland to decide. Whether they decided to. remain behind a closed door or behind a slammed door or any other door, their right to close the door would not be challenged and was unchallengeable. Preference had been offered, and if that door were closed, however softly, was there no , other whereby they could attempt to attain the same ends?

By the improving of the means of communication arid reducing the dues levied at Suez Canal and other practical ideas "we shall seek, as you seek, to draw closer. We have received encouraging and evidently sincere hopes for the: future, but no single definite proposal has yet "come before us. Unity is our chief desire, and we will employ any and every means in our power to that end. (Cheers.) I in no wise undervalue what the Conference has achieved. I believe it has achieved more than appears. Let us hope it will be dealt with in a businesslike way."