THE EMPIRE’S CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

West Coast Times, 13 June 1912, Page 3

THE EMPIRE’S CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

INFLUENTLVN GATHERING IN . LONDON, WELCOMED BY MR ASQUITH. THE EMPIRE’S LOYALTY, UNITY AND STRENGTH. .PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.— COPTBIC :T j LONDON, Juno 12. Considerable over three hundred delegates are attending a Coiigyess'of the Chambers of Commerce at the Guild Hall. The Rt. Hon. Sir George Reid (Federal High Commissioner), .he Hen Sir J. W. Tavernes (Agent-General for Victoria), the Hon. Sir J. McCall, M. D., (A gent-Gcneral for Tasmania) and forty-two Australian and New Zeahnd delegates were present. The Hon. Mr Asqnith welcomed the Conference on behalf of the Government. Lord Hesborough, in the presidential address, detailed the results of the resolutions of the Sydney Congress, including those dealing with wireless telegraphy, parcels post, and cable rates. Mr Alcock, Melbourne, seconded the Toronto Board of Trade’s resolution in favour of an All Red Cable, which was carried by a largo majority. LONDON, Juno 12.

The Rt. Hon H. H. Asquith, speaking at the Gnild Hall gathering of the Umpire Commercial Rreprcsentativcs, sai! that one of the most convincing proofs and the surest safeguards of' our Imperial loyalty, unity and strength was that for several years a quarter of the Motherland's imports came from the Overseas Dominions, and over a third of her imports went there, making an aggregate trade of four hundred millions sterling. laird Deshorongh said it was daily more apparent that if the Empire is to live it must consolidate in commerce as well as in defence. Britain a generation ago was supremo in commerce, and was feared in arms, but the progress of other countries had more than threatened Britain's supremacy in commerce. They must look to the Empire to maintain the position Britain once held alone.

Referring to Imperial defence, Lord Deshorongh said they appreciated the spirit which had been demonstrated by the dominions.

Tho congress reaffirmed the All-Red mail rente in connection with Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand/ Mr. Poster, Canadian Minister of Trade, interviewed, mentioned the favourable progress of the, reciprocity negotiations between Australia and Canada. He regretted Sir Joseph Ws-rds resignation from the Empire trade Commission, as he regarded him as an enthusiastic . prefercntialist. there was no present question which Canada was regarding like the maintenance of preference, but there would come a time when the men would ask whether the preference should all be one-sided.