BRITAIN AND THE COLONIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13854, 18 March 1907, Page 5

BRITAIN AND THE COLONIES.

COMMERCIAL UNION OF THE EMI'IRK. PROPOSED IMPERIAL COUNCIL, Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. LONDON, March 15. Mr Austen Chamberlain, speaking at a dinner given .by the United Club, emphasised the importance of a commercial union of tho Empire. Ho reasserted the necessity of food taxes. If tariff reform were coupled with tho cry of " Rack to the land," many difficulties now confronting their policy would be removed. PIETERMAPJTZJ3URG, .March 15. Lord St. Aldwyn, in the course of a speech at Durban, md that it was impracticable for the Motherland to grant colonial preference. No practical result would follow tho discussion of the subject at the Colonial Conference. OTTAWA, March 15. Tho.Toronto Globe denies that Sir W. Laurier is in favour of a permanent Imperial Council, but says that ho is willing to unite with the other Premiers towards reaching a definite understanding with the Imperial Government relative to the position of tho colonies in regard to British' treaty obligations. Sir W. Laurier, on being interviewed, denied writing privately or officially to Sir J. G, Ward relating to treaty obligations Speaking at Melbourne, on February 4, Sir Joseph AVard said:—Ope thing that impressed him mest durinit his trip to England last, year was the lack of knowledge of tho needs of tho colonics displayed by English statesmen. "A great amount of good will be done in this respect by tho conference." ho said. "But the trouble is that this good is only momentary, so to speak. Though the Premiere may impress on tho present British Government just what they want and what (heir views are, tho difficulty has been in tho past that a change of Government in Great Britain nullifies all that. . There is ]io means of making tho resolutions and agreements of tho conferenco continuous, Now, a council of advice in London, formed of men who understood colonial affairs and wore in clom touch with the colonial Governments, would do much to help things nlong with an absence of friction or unpleasantness between the Home and the colonial Governments. When treaties were being made, tho council could keep iur views before tho Government of the day. lam ardently in favour of tho creation of this council. Sir Wilfrid Laurier. in private letters to me, also expresses himself in favour of it, and, with the help of Mr Deakin. the three of us ought to ho able to carry it through. A great deal can bo gained by acting in concert in thai wav, and negotiating with other Premiers. That was how wo did at tho Postal Conference."

The Earl of Elgin (Colonial Secretary) in llio couvso of ;v speech at (lie Australian banquot licld in London recently said ho did not belioVo that anvono present, was likely lo see the oslablislmiGiit of one Imperial Parliament for the Enmiro. On (ho contrary, ho held, ;in<l he hail always ltcld slronily, (hat any anprondi to nnioii within the Empire, or in the colonic* themselves, could not bo mode by nutltoritv, but must Ve made- by the consent of tho parties immediately concerned. In his opinion one of llio greatest difiiculiios in bringing about unity of sentiment between those responsible for llio (Tovernmeut in this country and Ihose responsible for the Government in other climes was want of acquaintance. There was nolhing lie would appreciate more sincerely than opportunities of forming the'acquaintance and of knowing personally both the men in the Imoerial Colonial Scrvico and the menwho led the Parliaments of the self-governing colonics.