THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7952, 30 January 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1906.

There are some things that are better left unsaid, but the exaot nature of the things which it is advisable to refrain from uttering depends upon circumstances, and, also, in many instances upon the views that one has expressed on previous occasions. When the Premier gathered himself together to address the eleotors of Pahiatua, who were present at the recent social tendered to Mr R. B. Ross, the member for that district, there were many subjects he could have dealt with—in faot, there were many subjects with which he did deal—but there was one that he oould have left alone, and with advantage, we oon» aider, it would seem to most thinking people. We refer to the Con-

ference of Premiers, or tbe "Imperial Conference," as it is generally teamed, which, had the Balfour Administration been successful at the recent polls m England, would have been held this year, bat now, for obvious reasons to anyone who has considered the position, it has been pootponed—apparently sine die. ***** Mr Seddon informed his audience at Pabiatua that he had no obectioe to the postponement, and such a generous acquiescence with the painfully inevitable must have tilled the speaker's hearers vvith admiration, intense and unspeakable, especially the latter. But some little time ago the Liberal press of England, or a portion of it, at any rate, appeared to fear that Mr Sed- | don was coming whatever transpired, or didn': transpire. The Westminster Gazette, in a cartoon, depioted Mr Seddon leaving New Zealand for the Conference with tremendous energy, and the title line ran somewhat as follows: "I'm coming—I don't oare if the invitation is only automatic." Mr Seddon, on the occasion referred to, remarked that the difficulties ot arranging the Conference would be all the greater ■ now that a change of Government had taken place, but he does not appear to have explained why. ***** With Mr Seddon's "strong Imperialsm" we must confess that we have a very considerable degree of sympathy—it ia the "Imperialism" of Mr Chamberlain, and is, we believe, the coming policy of the Empire, and one that will prove an entirely rational and desirable modus vivendi for both the Motherland and the Colonies. But Mr Seddon only partially explained the positon in regard to the Con- ; ference—to have gone fully into the position would, presumably, have given an altogether too Oomical an aspect to tbe affair. Aa a matter of fact, when New Zealand's "Great. Liberal" finds himself in England be is not a at all; he is a "red hot" Imperialist; a vigorous supporter of the late Balfour Administration, and in more than appertains to preferential trade questions. As a matter of fact, there is a good deal of the "Conservative" about Mr Seddon, ana a great deal more of the autocrat, and when he finds himself in a country, unhampered by prospective elections, he naturally inclines to the ways and views of the Conservative Party.' A comparison between the speeches delivered during reoent years by Sir Henry Campbell and Mr Seddon on Imperial politics would make interesting reading. ***** Tbe extreme awkwardness of holding an Imperial Conference at tbe present time is, of course, manifest. The idea of holding the Conference, if we remember aright, originated with Mr Joseph Chamberlain, who is, of course, at present "out in tbe cola," and all the Colonial Premiers are, practically, preferential traders. The present Government Home is opposed to preferential trade; it detests as "Jingoes" all "strong Imperialists"; it hasn't got either a foreign or a colonial polioy worthy of the name, and, as a party, it opposed the Boer war.' All oiroumstances taken into consideration Mr Seddon is happy in hid decision that,—"in the interests of the Motherland and the Colony" he has no objection to the postponement of the Conference.

The extant to which Canada is being "boomed" cannot be better illustrated than by giving some of the country's trade figures. While the increase in the trade of Canada in the 20 years from 1873 to 1892 was only 30 millions, tbe increase in the 12 years from 1893 to 1904 was 230 millions, the trade of 1904 being 50 millions greater than in 1902. The volume of trade has doubled in 10 years, the aggregate for 1904 being 464 millions. .Canada's imports for 1904 were 253 mlliona, and her exports 211 millions. Great Britain is Canada's best customer, buying 85 per cent, of her exports. The capi tal invested in manufactures in Canada ia considerably beyond 440 millions. Her factories number 11,126; number of employees, 306,000; wages bill, about 90 millions; and the value of manufactured products, 452 millions, Canada's creative percentage of commercial growth for seven years, 1895-1902, was 107 per cedt., as against 47 of United States and 26 of Great Britain. While Canada is giving speoial attention to the placing of population on her enormous areas of agricultural land, the Government are fully alive to the importance of developing trade generally and thus ensuring the establishment of the oountiy's progress and prosperity upon a permanent footing.

The leporfc from New York that the new American Ambassador to Japan has been empowered to negotiate for the sale of the Philippines to Japan will be received by the Australasian colonies with the hope that it is without foundation. In spite of the inclusion of these islands within the "tariff wall of the United States they are undoubtedly unprofitable

to the American people. It had Deen hoped that the United States Government would patiently bear "the white man's burden" until it had acquired the peculiar AngloSaxon art «f making colonies pay for themselves. The Philippines themselves are nothing to the Aus- j tralasian colonies, as they are out of tie colonies' sphere uf interest, and whether they are ownea by Germans or Japanese only directly concerns us as it may conc'ern the Imperial authorities. But it would be entirely satisfactory to us if America did hold the islands in so much as she has practically stretched her arm over the Pacific, and has thrust it across the fairway between the Far East and the Australian oolonies. It is in the best interests of these colonies to have our kinsmen engaged in a colonisation that places them side by side with ourselves in all matters and compels them to watch carefully all international developments in Paiflc waters. If America retires from the Philippines it will be to our disadvantage as it will tend to reduce her interest in Asiatic affaire.