Sir W. Lyne.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8804, 4 May 1907, Page 2

Sir W. Lyne.

Sir W. Lyne in a vigorous and outspoken speech,'declared that Mr Asquith was unnecessarily brusque and uncompromising, and his attempts to belittle the advantage of colonial offers were scarcely fair. If, Australian preference, restricted to 8 per cent of trade, yielded a profit of £IOO,OOO if more widely extended, as was contemplated, it might perhaps have yielded a profit of £1,200,000. Sir W. Lyne, reply to Mr Mackay, stated that it was unlikely that the people of Australia with higher social conditions would placo the Lascar, earning 4%& a day, in the same category as Australian seamen earning 4s to ss. Mr Mackay interjected that Lascars receive 9d a day. Sir W. Lyne assorted that foreign shipping and trade was increaing in Australia far quicker tlian British. IJo feared Britain was losing her hold on the Australian markets, and preference would rectify this. Britain was really more concerned than Australia. Ho advocated low Australian duties- on British goods and higher duties on foreign goods. Australia did 'not want a one-sided

bargain, If 4s per quarter prefer. | ence was conceded to colonial wheat 30,000,000 more s acres would loe planted in the colonies. The cou« cession would not raise the price of bread. The colonies were able to supply nearly everything Britain wanted. Sir Win. Lyno emphasised the increasing keenness of foreign competition in the colonies, citing the latest statistics. Foreign nations fave bounties and concession's of all inds in order' to increase trade, thereby increasing also their mercantile marine and reserves for naval warfare. If the British Government was satisfied that it had received a mandate against • preference, why hesitate .to appeal to the country by referendum to find out if it was still of the same cipiriion. He denied that there was a mandate.