GENERAL CABLE NEWS

Waikato Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2627, 30 April 1904, Page 4

GENERAL CABLE NEWS

BRITISH COMMERCE London, April 2S Me Henry Copeland, AgentGeneral for New South Wales, in addressing the Australasian Chamber of Commerce upon the proportionate increase of Australian foreign trade, compared with trade with the United Kingdom, contended that the existing tariffs could nob account for the rapid development of the commercial relations between Australians and foreigners. There must be a screw loose somewhere in Imperial trade development, when the trado with the United Kingdom declined, and foreign trade advanced by long and rapid strides, The English traders, he maintained, were to be blamed for not being effectively strenuous in their efforts to secure the Australian trade, thereby affording large chances to foreigners. At its present rate of increase foreign trade would 1 overtake that of the United Kingdom with Australia in fifteen years. The Imperial Government had acted unwisely in allowing the commercial ties with the colonies to take care of themselves. He suggested the establishment in Sydney and Melbourne of branches of the Board of Trade, in order to secure continuous, reliable and explicit information with respect to Australian trade. If the experiment were successful it could be extended to the rest of the Commonwealth and the Empire. He deprecated any interference with private enterprise. It was especially necessary to obtain prompt information with respect to the contracts and supplies required. If : the Imperial Government could cater for trade in foreign countries, it would be unwise to neglect the equally valuable trade within the Empire. Mr Copeland's suggestion is generally approved. COTTON" GROWING London, April 28 In the House of Commons a number of members urged the Government to encourage cotton raising within the Empire. Mr Lyttelton announced that the Cotton Growing Association contributes £30,000 yearly for three years' development of cotton growing in Lagos, Southern Nigeria and Sierra Leone, while those colonies contribute £6,500 yearly. The House, by & majority of 44, confirmed the tea duty, THIBETAN MISSION London, April 27 The Russian agent at Lhassa advised the Dalai Lama to take refuge in Russian territory. Colonel Younghusband cables that the Thibetans are most friendly and are freely ordering goods from India. The Amban states that the Dalai Lama recognises Great Britain's power, and is anxious that the Amban should effect a settlement. He has imprisoned his former counsellors. A BOUNDARY QUESTION London. April 28 The Delimitation Commission in Uganda reports that Lake Albert Edward Nyanza belongs to the Congo State, involving the surrender of valuable salt deposits.