AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13290, 20 May 1907, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

RECIPROCAL 'TREATY WITH

CANADA.

THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION. Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright Received Mav 19th, 4.28 p.m. " LONDON, May 18. Owing to the non-arrival of Mr Fielding, Canadian Minister of Finance, the negotiations, for an Australian-Canadian reciprocal treaty have not mad© any progress. Sir W. J. "Lyne considers it better to deal with the subject when legislation is introduced on the Commonwealth tariff.

Ait influential deputation representing the Australian section of the Chamber of Commerce waited oil Mr Deakin and stated that it had practically been settled that 100 members would visit Australia in 1909 or including Canada and South Africa possibly 200. • . - A deputation representing Mr Kinloch Cooke's Central Emigration Board and other emigration agencies, including several of the Agents-General and Lord Ranfurly, waited on Mr' Deakin and discussed the advisability of- cooperative action. Mr Deakin explained that if the States would supply land and undertake to look after immigrants on their arrival, t-hfe Commonwealth Government do the advertising and assist in every -way;. Other colonial speakers indicated that Australians in London .who were interested ill emigration, wished to take advantage of the- present favourable juncture _to advance the cause. After the discussion the opinion appeared to prevail that it would be better to try and arrange co-operation between the various scattered agencies through the Central Emigration Board. It is intended to invite the Agents-General to assist the Board with advice and information. FEARS OF LONDON CAPITALISTS. MR DEAJKIN'S EXPLANATION. Press Association-Bv Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, May 17. Mr Deakin was entertained at luncheon at De Keysers Hotel, to meet the representatives of capital invested in Australia, who explained that there were some obstacles to the free flow of capital thither. ■Mr Deakin remarked that the Labour uarty Lad had its growth and maturity, but at present was in very deep water as a party. He predicted a great Ministerial majority in -New South Wales over the Labourites. while the latter would not count in Queensland. Coming parliamentary' events indicated that the Labourites would shortly be in- a minority in South Australia. These facts should dispel investors' fears as far as labour legislation was concerned. / Regarding other matters lie recommended investors to thoroughly understand the. terms of all agreements before signing them- He hoped that cable communication would be so cheapened as < to enable them to have the exact terms of contracts explained. Progress was being mads in unifying the company law of .Australia, with its attendant advantages. He was also trying to harmonise the law in reference to insurance, and since his arrival lie had consulted thedirectors of. the Bank of England regarding the' possibility of" 4 passing a banking law which would have a. currency throughout the Commonwealth. Dwelling on- the advantages accruing from the Commonwealth's prospective assumption of the whole of the various States' debts ha remarked that gradually by a better ada.pta.tion of the circumstances of the' interior, with its great pastoral and agricultural interests, the county would be far more independent of variations in climate. He added, "Concerning immigration, if only the States could be persuaded to break away from methods, the Commonwealth Gov evnment would undertake to brinrr over n l] the settlers thev could find, and place them on the land'." He hoped that bv an agreement with South Australia half *»• million acres would be sanctioned in 1907. .

LABOUR LEADER'S SPEECH

LONDON. May 17.

Mr Huffhe.'. one of the Australian delegates to the Maritime Conference, nddr-ess-"m<r the Social Institute Union. London, explained the Australian labour inoveTiie'it. He <dnhu=d that the. Labour Party had been the petted child of the other parties, birfc hnd he-'n instrumental in securing valuable social reforms.