AUSTRALIA AND BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 84, 28 March 1908, Page 2

AUSTRALIA AND BRITAIN.

SPEECH BY SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PREMIER. "ALMOST LIKE A FAIRY TALE." London, March 20.

Mr. T. Price, the South Australian Premier, in responding to the toast of liis health, at the British Chamber oi Commerce banquet, declared that lie possessed the confidence of every banker and merchant in South Australia. He wished to remove the fears and misconceptions entertained here regarding Australian politics. His advice was: Do not judge until you*inderstand! His object in visiting Bristol was to make commercial friends to facilitate the sale of (lour, wheat, fruit, wool, and wine, to explain the development of South Australia, and indicate tlwt there was plenty of land available on easy terms. There was room there for millions. Wlien %d per pound was allowed on mutton, South Australian trade would trend towards Bristol.

Mr. Howell Davies, chairman of the Bristol Docks, considered Mr. Price's description of South Australian development almost like ii fairy tale. The possibilities seemed illimitable. Bristol enjoyed geographical advantages which South Australia should consider. He warned them not to under-value the Argentine's competition in trade. If closer trade relations were established with South Australia, the managers of the Bristol Docks would do their utmost to facilitate the handling and distribution of shipments. Mr. Price, while dining at tjie Imperial Industries Club, London, explained that Australian Socialism, as applied to railways, assisted Imperial industries, since it kept the freights low and so cheapened food for England.