THE EMPIRE’S PROBLEMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6225, 3 June 1907, Page 5

THE EMPIRE’S PROBLEMS

SPEECH BY LORD MILNER BRITISH POLICY IN SOUTH AFRICA. ADVOCACY OF PREFERENCE. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. (Received Juno 2, 4.33 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 1. Lord Alilner, speaking at a Unionist demonstration at York, acknowledged tho wisdom and firmness shown by Sir Edward Grey and -Air Alorley in connection with Egypt and India, but added that Radical fanatics had directed their full force to South Africa, which was as a lightning conductor for their mischievous activities.

Lord Alilner quoted remarks made by Air J. C. Smuts (Colonial Secretary in the 'Botha Alinistry) to show how grave was tho material depression in the Transvaal. This alarming decline was duo to tho reckless election agitation in Groat Britain destroying confidence.

While Lord Milner recognised the sincerity of General Botha’s speeches, he contended that the Transvaal had been transferred to a purely racial party, and this act had laid the foundations of Dutch ascendency from Capetown to the Limpopo River. Britain, at any rate, ho added, was now the “under dog.” Commenting on the work of the Premiers’ Conference, his Lordship said preference must now bo argued as a living principle. Its adoption would give immense impetus to exports to the colonies, whoso inhabitants were, per head, vastly the best customers Britain had. Preference,’ by encouraging colonial production and population, would multiply those customers. Emigration should be directed to British hands, instead of running to waste all over the world, thus up-building the Empire and increasing the power it needed for defence and unity.