PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 13012, 27 June 1906, Page 5

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

APPEAL BY ;THE COBDEN CLUB. \ ADDRESS TO THE COMMONWEALTH. United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Jane 24. Two hundred and seventv-four members belonging to the majoYity in the House of Commons, but not members of the Government or prominent Labourites signed an appeal issued bv the Cobden Club, and addressed to the Commonwealth electors. The address declares that the Britisli electorates condemned, bv t\:e most decisive majority on record, the policy of preference, which is by far the most important ever submitted. " The decision," it proceeds, "wa« due not to any lack of goodwill towards you. We are proud of the concection, which fiiee andunpur-' chased, is resting on our. eommw blood traditions and aspiration?- r-The.rejection/ of preference" is <[ne to-./the fact that ifc would make food dearer and sr-atcer. . You export your abundance and : p-"we-; must import the bulk of all we We were asked to submit to a this and give yon preference on snf'much as you send us. sfo ponder the electors object io such a proposal, emanating not from you, but from certain politicians here.

No offer within your power could compensate for a tax on food. We ask you, nob. for your sake, for we do not desire to criticise or interfere in your fiscal system, but we ask you for the sake of the workers for-the sake of the goodwill between you 1 and'Us, -which we hope will constantly become stronger and more s binding, not to encourage from your side - those amongst us proposing to tax food." ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, June 25. —The "Times" says that colonials are not likely to be misled by the address. They are aware that their products' under preference would be free, while only ex-tra-Imperial products would be taxed. But this egregious appeal is likely to have one effect if its example causes colo- , nials to relinquish scrupulous abstention . from any such appear to ourselves. The " Times " is sure their arguments in that '■ case will be more convincing and fruitful [ than this address. \ ' The " Tribune" ciharacterises it as an * unusual step, taken solely in the interests of continued good feeling 1 and a better understanding of the different standpoints. Its effect ought to be wholly good. The "Pall-Mall Gazette" says that the Radicals, not satisfied with interference in South African affairs, are preparing to educate.Australia. It considers that the Cobden Club's appeal is an important intrusion. .