The Preference of Trade

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1140, 8 November 1904, Page 2

The Preference of Trade

Pmh AMMlation.—Oouyritnt. Melbodrnh, November 7 Ms. Deakin, interviewed as to the Chronicle's cabled comments, deolared ; that only an utterly perverse 'and prejudiced interpretation of his motion i\ oould possibly point to the inference that f hie motion involved a complete reversal of the idea that the colonies would leave, ateps towards preference to Britain. The whole contention of free importers turned on tho meaning of the word' "offer," Whether the resolution car. . ried at tho last Imperial Conference, and the action of Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa amount to an " offer" or somthing more or less, was really a more question of casuistry," The foots are that Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa have already takon action, and the rosolutioo of the conference has beon public property for two years. Nothing that could be, said in any resolution pro* posed horc can alter these 'facts, and certainly no Alteration is intendod in my resolution." As to the Chroniole's statemont in referenoo to Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Deakin said: " Mr. ■ Ohamberlain some time ago mado referenoo to tho relativo values of preference whioh should be more general, and as to how tho peoplo of England then regarded it I havo no reason to suppose that he expressed his own mind. He may only have expressed the ourront opinio? of the time. Nothing • has been said by . Mr, Chamberlain that has justified ' the Chroniole's assertion. Since, he entered his present campaign bis statements regarding preference have been most explicit. Brisbanb, Nov. 7 ,;. Mr. Taverner, Agent-Ganeral for Via., fji. toria, who is returning to refute statements ' - made at the Butter Commission, saii with referonce preference of trade that he strongly supported Mr. Chamberlain's proposals, whioh would mutually benefit all sections of tho Empire. He'also i 1 warmly advocated, a ■. weekly servioe/by '* the Canadian route for Australian mails. 1 ,; "' It was not only the ojiiokesti; but in the' > event of complications with foreign pbwen|\ would ensure a safe passage, 5 -' He ed a central Londondepot i'fo'r Australian * products, whioh should. beirtheGovern- $3,-$, ment brands, f;''''' '• „ % ' : .^ K £