Commercial Federation of the Empire

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7655, 13 June 1896, Page 3

Commercial Federation of the Empire-

London, June 11. The Congress of Chambers of Commerce approved of the appointment of a consultive Imperial Council, consisting of members resident in Great Britain. Mr Jno. Henry, ex-Colonial Treasurer of Tasmania, declared that without Customs duties Australia would be unable to meet its obligations. Mr Asquitb, speaking at Beading, said that except in regard to defences, formal connection with the colonies was the best safeguard to permanent unity of the Empire. A zollverein was not a solid principle, and would prove unworkable in practice. British workers would not tolerate a scheme which would hamper trade for the sake of an imaginary expansion of friendship. June 12. — The Congress of Chambers of Commerce has asked the Government to codify the commercial laws of the Empire. A resolution was carried unanimously in favor of laying a Pacific cable. The Times thinks it unlikely the colonies will ask for a trade conference until they are greed upon a basis for discussion. Melbourne, June 12. Referring to Mr Chamberlain's advocacy of a zollverein, the Premier sayß Government would not accept such a proposal, as it would be injurious to local manufacturers. Differential duties they might consider, but not absolute freetrade.