FREETRADE CONGRESS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13665, 6 August 1908, Page 5

FREETRADE CONGRESS.

AT CAXTON HALL. Pji'essf Assoeiation-By Telegraph-Copy rJjjht Received U. 30 p.m. August sth. LONDON,' August 5. The International Freetra.de Congress, held under the auspices of the> Cobden Club, opened at the Uoxton Hall, when SOO delegates, including many ladies, were present. All the European nation* were repruiented except Russia. Delegates were piesent from the United Canada, Australasia and Ceylon. Baron Welby presided, and in his address admitted that the piospect of froe--trade throughout the woild 'was' somewhat cloudy/ " Prof ection was advancing m very aggiessive fashion, but the treetradeii* were confident of their cause which piomoted liberty at Home, friendShip and peace abroad,' and ninety- ultimately ' triumph. Mr Churchill, who opened a discussion on freetrade in it> bearings on international relations, warmly welcomed -the delegates. He citedi 'Biitain as a substantial obiect-lesson of the' possibility of a nation remaining prosperous and powerful while pursuing fieetrade. He .insisted on the intimate relation between fieeti-dde principles and good international relations. He contended that the beating of freetrade on international relations might bo summed up in the word "' Peace." Britain had secured loyal, piosperous, and profitable colonies by ■extending to them without demand or request, for exclusive prefeience all they may justly an ! d 'freely"* give!" He admitted that many most curious delusions still claimed a large measure'of public support, and that these misconceptions tended to pioduce disunion between great peoples. The freetraders loblfed forward to the world becoming a co-operative Commonwealth with its affaire so inextricably woven through the prosaic bonds of commerce that would be!-unable to tear' th'em apart, eveiy part being' dependent upon every other member of a vast confederation. Personally he was convinced that fieeh-dde ideals would triumph. , Suffragettes frequently interrupted the proceedings, and were" finally expelled.