PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 13014, 29 June 1906, Page 7

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

THE COBDKS CLUB'S MANIFESTO. -United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, June 28. Referring to the Cobden Club's manifacto, Mr Deakin, the Federal Premier, said tua fact that this so-called appeal emanated from the Cobden Club was quite ■aufficiei.C to discount all its political significance. "It is," he said, "merely d device oi that partisan club to conceal the steady diminution of its influence. While we should give .the utmost consideration v to any genuine expression of opinion from fctie British people, or any considerable section of them, we are not called upon to accept it at its face value. The appeal is bascl upon the false and misleading assumption that the preferential trade "that we desire it to be established at the cost of the people of the Mother Country. On the contrary, we have always maintained that reciprocal concessions would mean mutual profit, and make for the well-being of both countries." Mr Watson, Leader of the Labour Party aaid: "It seems to me rather beating the air. It must depend npon the decision of Britain, and without any desire to influence the people there, I think it is undoubtedly a fact that the people of Australia will be glad to join in an arrangement. Anyway, I don't think the manifesto of the Cobden Club will affect the desire of Australia for preference."