“A UNITED EMPIRE."

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1832, 17 April 1907, Page 36

“A UNITED EMPIRE."

HOW IT MAY BE ATTAINED’ SPEECH «B¥ MR DEAKIN. MUTUAL DEFENCE AND TRADE RELATIONS. BRITAIN’S. HESITANCY. By Telegraph-Preas Association-Copy right. LONDON, April 14. At the banquet tendered to colonial visitors by Australasian merchants in London, Lord Jersey, ex-Governor of New South Wales, presided. * In proposing the toast, “A United Empire,” Lord Jersey coupled it with t-lie name of “the Hon. Alfred Deakin, whose lofty ideals and honoured career wore among the Empire’s treasures.” Mi Deakin, who met witn an enthusiastic recejition, declared that the loss of Mr Chamberlain was felt at the extremities of the Empire. The first and greatest means of attaining a united Empire was co-operation for mutual defence, which was on an unsatisfactory basis at present, because the colonies, which were incomplete growing communities, were hardly strong enough to assume a full share of the burden of responsibility which undoubtedly they would claim hereafter. Meanwhile, they required some voice in the Empire’s counsels if they shared the responsibilities of action. He referred to the unequalled, visible, and untouched mineral resources of Australia, and the immense possibilities of its fruitful soil, and hoped that the stream of vigorous British emigration would be diverted to Australia. Mr Deakin declared that he was unable to understand those who despised trade as a means of uniting the Empire. He emphatically denied that ‘Australians regarded preference as an ingenious device to benefit themselves. A preferential arrangement with all the advantages on one side would soon fail. Australia made a business proposition of mutual preferences for mutual advantage. If the Motherland considered it valueless, Australia would be the last to press its acceptance. He failed to understand Britain’s attitude of timidity and fear. What would other nations think? Australia proposed preference to British goods, ships, and men. They did not intend to come as supplicants, soliciting some concessions to weakness or needs. He hoped that the adoption of an Imperial policy would remove the Motherland’s present att- ude of despondency, hesitancy, and uncertainty. He concluded:—“What we have let us hold, for we can hold it by our own people.” AUSTRALIAN HOPES. LONDON, April 14. Sir John Cockburn, chairman of the Australasian Chamber of Commerce in London, proposed * the toast “British Australian Trade.” Sir William Lyne, responding, said it was necessary to quicken British interest in the Commonwealth, which was apparently little thought of here. Many seemed not to want Australian trade, but the Premiers hoped to induce Britain to take the products of British-people instead of those of foreigners. Australians were able to supply produce cheaper than it oould be obtained elsewhere, if Britain would take it. NEWSPAPER OPINION. WHAT LIBERALS WILL DO FOR UNITY. LONDON, April 15. The “Daily' News” declares that the Liberals are entirely prepared to discuss, at the Conference, any subject that may tend to secure Imperial unity and the common welfare of the colonies and the Motherland. Preference would be freely discussed at the Conference, but it must be recognised from the outset that England remains a free-trade country. “Britain alone, among the great nations of Europe,” the. “News” proceeds, “admits duty free Canada’s corn, Cape Colony’s wine, and Australasia’s mutton If the colonies are inclined to retaliate upon the other nations of Europe by admitting in return English goods free, or with a lower duty, we should accept such consideration with gratitude, but we neither demand nor solicit such a concession. Each colony must choose the system best suited to its own interests. There ought to be a strong demand for some permanent organisation in the centre of the Empire for purposes of consultation. Most Liberals will look favourably at it.” The “Daily Chronicle” says:—“Short of abandoning free trade, which is as vital to Britain as is oxygen to human life, there is no sacrifice we would not gladly make for the colonies. We look to tangible results of the greatest value from the Conference, even on subjects wherein definite action is impossible. Nothing but good can result from a free and frank exchange of views.”

THE KEY TO UNITY. PREFERENCE. LONDON, April 15. The third of the series of special articles published in “The Times,” under tho title “The Conference and Imperial Unity,” urges, that Imperial preference, including preference in Customs tariffs, in the provisions of the navigation laws, and to British State-aided emigration, provides the indispensable ’ key to every approach to Imperial unity.