IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 101, 19 June 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

THE TREATY QUESTION. London, June 10. Mr. Asquith presided at the Conference to-day. Sir Wilfrid Laurier moved that the British Govern meat be requested to negotiate with the Powers in order to relieve the Dominions so desiring from the operations of treaties. He referred to Australia’s experience alien it wished to give preference to British goods in British ships, which had been prevented by the favoured nation clause. This showed the necessity of the proposal. Canada was now faced with a similar difficulty in giving preference. It had boon suggested that his proposal would destroy the principle of commercial unity, but such a. principle did not exist. The Motherland had free trade, and the Dominions had tariffs, and no two tariffs agreed. Commercial diversity ' existed instead of commercial unity. There was no difficulty in understanding that when Great Britain made a treaty to suit her own requirements it might not suit the Dominions. His idea was' to bring the old treaties into lino with newer ones. The proposal should he coupled with three principles—Firstly, it should be the Dominions’ first effort to develop trade as far as possible with the Motherland ; secondly, they should not confine their efforts to British markets, hut should lie allowed as their second object to increase trade with other nations; and, thirdly, that any benefits given by the Dominions to other nations should be given to the Motherland and other Dominions. Mr. Fisher said Sir Wilfrid Lamv ier’s arguments commended themselves to the Commonwealth, which appreciated the difficulties, and strongly wished without embarrassing the Homo Government, to have the treaties modified in tiio way proposed. Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Morris, and General Botha supported Sir Wilfrid Laurisv’s motion. Sir Edward Grey said he could accept the resolution, as lie realised that old treaties not containing the , option, of the newer must sometimes embarrass the Dominions. Questions being raised with Italy in response to the Commonwealth’s request, a reply had been received that it would he necessary to denounce an existing and negotiate a new treaty. If that attitude were generally adopted it would bo inconvenient to denounce before a now agreement was secured. The case might ho met by agreeing to open negotiations for modifications, and if that failed it would be best to negotiate for new treaties without denouncing the old. He accepted the resolution, which, on that understanding, was adopted. During the discussion of the Commonwealth's resolution urging development of fuller commercial inter- I course, Sir Wilfrid Laurier moved to i approach the Imperial Government to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the natural resources and trade of the whole Empire. Mr. Asquith agreed, and the motion was adopted. ' THE ALL-RED ROUTE. STATE-OWNED WIRELESS. LONDON, Juno 17. After Mr Samuel’s statement Sir J 0. Ward amended his motion in the direction of affirming the desirableness of establishing, a State-owned wireless service. Mr. L. Harconrt, replying to Mr. Pearce, said the Pacific Islands were not overlooked in the ultimate development scheme. Sir J. G. Ward thought it would bo more satisfactory if Australia and New Zealand carried out their local requirements, sharing the cost of the Singapore station. Mr. Usher declared the Commonwealth intended to proceed with its own scheme. It reserved the right to rroct stations where it pleased. Ho supported Mr. Samuel, but wished to make it clear that ho was not committed to the fanatical side. The amended resolution was adopted. Mr. Samuel showed the average cost of handling each letter and a reply to different parts of the Empire to 03 a penny and one-sixth. It would take fourteen years to recoup the loss in'Cnrred in extending the penny post to the United States. Sir J. G. Ward substituted the 1907 resolution, which was affirmed. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, <n suporting the Cornmonwepalth trade resolution, said it was difficult to secure improvement without more information. He therefore moved to approach the King praying him to appoint a Royal commission, representing Britain and the Overseas Dominions, to investigate the natural resources and the development attained, ns well as the attainable facilities for production, manufacture, and distribution of trade, each part with, tlia others. Also to ascertain the food and raw material requirements of each, the sources thereof, their availability, and to what extent trade between the different parts is affected by existing legislation—beneficially otherwise. The conference on Friday afternoon discussed Mr. Graaf’s resolution in favour of concerted action to promote better trade and postal communications within the Empire, and to discourage shipping combines. He instanced the excessive ocean freights between South Africa and Britain, and compared Britain and Australia. He said the South African Union was determined to establish its own freights and markets. Mr Harconrt said the resolution was another stop in the policy which was the governing note of the conference, namely, not Imperial concentration, but Imperial co-operation. Jn one respect the resolution might be misunderstood. He proposed to add, “by what methods, consistent with the existing fiscal policy of each part of the Empire, trade can be improved and extended.” 'This would show the commission that the conference did not intend to 1 * make recommendations for one policy -for the Dominions or the Motherland, but 'for the whole of the Empire, and to ensure a better position for future co-operation..

Mr Fisher .said the resolution was a practical way of dealing with a difficult questions. The commission must look freely into every matter likely to afford useful information, aijl must not dogmatise about methods by which different countries conduct their own affairs. It was essential that the commission should include men of the highest, standing Mr Pearce said the proposal met the position practically, and would enable them to deal with trade matters effectively.

Mr Asquith stated the conference was indebted to Sir Wilfrid Lanrier for the practical proposition to prepare the way and possibly make the way plain for effective action next conference, or sooner. The commission would be an advisory body, with a reference as wide as works could make it without making suggestions as to States’ policies anywhere. Every Dominion would pursue such a fiscal policy as was best suited to its

own requirements. The commission Mould visit every part of the Empire. The Government would secure the best men possible. Mr Fisher said the Commonwealth was ready to siuae the expense of tiio bmden. They ought not to rest entirely on the Motherland. Sir W. Laurier and Sir J. G. Waul thought similarly, and Mr Asquitn expiessed gratitude for the suggestion of help. The amended resolution was passed. ! Sir J. G. Ward, in moving a motion, said, in regard to trio All-Red main route, that he had the assurance of shipping-men that they could give a 20-knot service in the' Pacific, as the difficulties existing for years back in regard to coaling had disappeared. Although the opening of the Panama Canal might considerably affect, the system, lie desired the All-Red service instituted, as it looked as il Canada was the “halfway house” between Now Zealand and Britain. Afr Morris also presented a motion advocating a fast .service between Newfoundland and Britain. Sir Wilfrid Laurier favoured Sir J. G. Ward’s motion, Mr Fisher said that while much could be said as to the sentiment of the suggestion, the practical side must stand on its merits. They could not draw a distinction between the service to Australia, via New Zealand and Canada, and the Suez Canal rout,o. The latter might have difficulties, but there was much to commend it from an Australian standpoint. Rctranshipmout of goods across Canada made the proposal impractical. He regretted that tie Commonwealth could not support it, Mr Lloyd-George said sentimentally the All-Red route was desirable, but the practical difficulties were great. Since last conference the question had been •investigated, and the committee found twenty-one “knots” uhich were t prohibitive and eighteen knots” which were enormously costly. The service wlndd be dependent on passengers, and could not hope to cany goods across the Continent. I hero would bo considerable loss to the Pacific side, though the Atlantic side might pay after years. Ho thought the question might be referred.to the Royal Commission. Sir J. G. TV ai d said the scheme of inertly carrying goods was useless and impracticable. Ho amended the resolution affirming the desirability that Britain should connect with Canada and Newfoundland through Canada, with Australia and New Zealand by the best mail service available. The motion was carried.