Imperial Trade Preference

Southland Times, Issue 19088, 2 July 1903, Page 2

Imperial Trade Preference

IN THE HOUSE OF LORHS. Per United Press Association. (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright). LONDON. June HO. The Earl of Portsmouth, in the Lords, enquiring what proposals had been suggested with a view to inducing Germany to trcut Cumada reasonably. Lord Lansdowne described the objects of the liscal enquiry. What was wanted was closer union with the colonies and means .of protecting them and the Motherland from unfair and inequitable competition. The proposals would come after the discussion. Lord Ro.ebery usked whether the enquiry was intended to inform the nation or as a mere piece of mechanism to keep it together. He denounced the enquiry as impalpable, holding that a Royal Commission might publicly enquire into the issues r.wised and the nation be taken into the confidence of the Government. Lord Selborne argued that the enquiry taking place in a period of material prosperity would provide a safeguard again hasty conclusions. Lord Goschen enquired as to the elements of the enquiry and asked whether facts would precede coming political speeches or the campaign precede the facts. The Duke of Devonshire interpret ed the recent speeches of .Messrs Halfour and Chamberlain as indicating the objects of the discussion, which would include the questions of old age pensions. inasmuch as there ! would be a considerable amount of .money available. Lord Jersey : The campaign opens in October. Will the Government meanwhile announce its policy ? The Duke of Devonshire : It will Inimpossible tc- make any announcement before the end of the session. The subject then dropped, but the debate clearly showed, on the authority of Lord Lansdowne and the Duke of Devonshire, that the Government is not committed to any tnrilT resolutions. STILL OP F.N Mr Chamberlain informed .Mi- l.ubouchere that no suggestion had been made to any of the self-governing colonies that they should surrender the liberty which they now have of framing Customs tariffs, or that any alteration should be made in the practice of negotiating commercial treaties. The colonies would decide whether the Imperial Government would give its adherence to commercial treaties on their behulf. Sinntho Colonial Conference no communications had passed between the Imperial Government and that of any colony with regard to penalisation by foreign countries. nor had any colonial suggestion been forthcoming as to the matter of protecting the Kmpire's liscal freedom. CANDID. Senator Pnuliate, a prominent French economist. declares that Mr Chamberlain's policy dangeroush menaces France's export trade, but unless Britain adopts the proposed policy soon, she will lose her industrial trade, only retaining her carrying trade. It is essential for Britain to keep her own markets for herself. The Standard's advice regarding Mr Chamberlain's scheme is to wait until the cards are on the table Comments on the probufhle altitude of the colonies are considered at Berlin to be significant. .Inly 1. Received 2nd. 0...<> a m The Leeds Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution that the liscal relations must be considered and urging the Government to collect information to facilitate the format ion of an impartial judgment.