GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue I, 5 July 1902, Page 21

GENERAL CABLES.

THE I'REMIERS IN ENGLAND. The North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce entertained the Colonial Premiers at a luncheon at Stoke. Mr Barton, responding to the toast of the colonies, said a vast number of colonials regard fiscal policies, except as a sequence to moral principles, as expedients. How that would influence him at the Imperial Conference was a matter of speculation, evn with himself. English policy ought to be directed to cheapening steam, telegraphic and mail transit between the Motherland and the colonies. He emphasised the illimitable resources, production and trade of the Commonwealth. Mr Seddon said the colonies did not desire to raise the fiscal question, which, would place parties in the Motherland in mutual antagonism. They desired to help bind them together. The granting of subsidies to steamers carry ins' British goods would be no interference with free trade or protection. At the annual West Australian dinner the guest* included the Agents-General and Lord Onslow. Sir John Forrest (Federal Minister for Defence), in proposing the toast of the Imperial forces, said he hoped Britons would not lose their heads in a spirit of generosity, but would deal with the settlement of South Africa in a businesslike spirit. The war had welded the Empire with bonds of steel, and had immensely, strengthened the confidence of the colonies in the Empire's ability to manage international defence. Alluding to the Imperial Conference, and speaking his private sentiments, not committing the Commonwealth, Sir John Forrest said he recognised that the time had now come when the colonies, although unable proportionately to equal the Motherland's efforts, must do all in their power to assist the taxpayers of Britain in maintaining the Empire's fleet, whereon all were dependent against attack. ’ Mr Barton, in proposing the toast of West Australia, eulogised its sturdy energy and splendid rally to the Commonwealth. He cordially agreed largely with Sir John Forrest's remarks. The difficulty was how to realise his . aspirations. Would West Australia like to postpone tlw transcontinental railway in order that the Commonwealth might niake a much larger contribution to the navy? The Commonwealth had been asked to assume control of the Northern Territory. That might, be burdensome. but such difficulties were made to be overcome by the Australians. Lord Onslow said all recognised the obligations of Empire. If Australia was compelled to go slow for a time it was not because she did not wish to go faster, but wak unable to do so. owing to financial limitations. At the United Empire Trade League's luncheon. Mr James Lowther occupied the chair. ■ -r-~

Lord Halsbury proposed the toast •f the Empire's trade. Mt Barton said he deprecated the idea of unduly considering the outside nations in connection with the trade problems affecting the common Interests of the Empire. In the event of an emergency similar to the South African trouble Australians were prepared to do much more than heretofore. Mr Seddon also spoke. Be said the lost British trade ought to be attracted back to British channels. New Zealand’s offer of preference without asking a return represented 3 per cent, upon five millions’ worth of trade. This would not be unimportant if devoted to strengthening the navy. He declared that free trade throughout the Empire was impossible owing to financial considerations. The Prince and Princess of Wales have invited Mr Seddon to dinner on July Bth. Mr Seddon has visited the House of Commons, and was introduced to many members. Mr Seddon.and Mr Barton attended the crowded and impressive intercessionary services in St. Paul’s. Mr and Mrs Seddon and Miss Seddon will visit Wales and Ireland. Sir E. Barton is president of the committee which includes Mr Seddon and other Premiers, the AgentsGeneral and leading Australians in London in support of the ball at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday in aid of King Edward’s hospital fund. The Premiers are re-accepting engagements, and are overwhelmed with public and private hospitality. NEW ZEALANDERS IN AFRICA Sir Joseph Ward has received a communication from Colonel Porter, dated Durban. May 14. in which that officer says au injustice has been done to the Seventh Regiment New Zealand Mounted Rifles through the censors having suppressed an important cable message of his to the Premier, dated March 3. This message said:— "I am gratified to report a most dashing capture by the Seventh New Zealanders to-day of De Wet’s guns (one 15-pouuder and two pom-poms) and a large amount of ammunition, waggons, rifles, etc., a most important capture. These are said to be the last of the enemy’s guns. De Wet escaped. From elose quarters the Seventh charged the gu-ns gallantly and took them after hand-to-hand fighting.” Colonel Porter adds that in his Bothasberg despatch he was reported to have said, “Not one skulker reported.” This was an error in transmission. What he wrote was “Not a single reproach." Ha also says that he regrets that many of his eables were mutilated by the censors. THE FEDERAL TARIFF. Mr Seddon. referring to Sir Michael Hicks-Beach’s speech on the third reading of the Finance Bill, declared that his attitude in regard to preferential trade had destroyed the main interest of the Imperial Conference, supposing that he represents the views of his Govermr.-’at. In the House of Commons the Finjmce Bill was read a third time by 206 to 181. Sir M. Hicks-Beach, Chancellor of the Exchequer, declared himself a free trader. He said it was true that Canada and Australasia, with almost limitless resources, prospered under protection, which in England foreshadows grievous social and fiscal dangers. Replying to complaints regarding the disparity between imports and exports, he emphasised the fact that the growth of the income tax returns proved a better condition in every class of the community. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. Mr Chamberlain on Monday delivered a short address at the Imperial Conference. The proceedings were confidential. The Conference will sit two days in the first week and afterwards much oftener. A strong effort will lie made to complete the business expeditiously. Sir E. Barton does not commence negotiations with the eable companies until the Conference has discussed ocean telegraphy. The “Sydney Telegraph” aays that

from the recent speeches of English statesmen aud the colonial Premiers it becomes more and more evident that the differences of opinion which exist in regard to the questions of the Empire’s defence and commercial relations are as hopeltss as the material difficulties in the way, which, as a matter of fact, the advocates of union have never seriously discussed.

In reference to Mr Seddun’s suggestion that New Zealand would be willing to give British trade preference without asking any return, and thus supply an important money contribution to the navy, the “Telegraph” says:—“The obvious commentary is that there is nothing to prevent New Zealand from giving preference. No one has objected or is likely to do so, but where is the contribution to the navy to come from? If New Zealand gives preference to that extent it will not collect duties. The British Government will not get the remitted taxes. How, then, the navy is to be benefited is impossible to conjecture, unless New Zealand will pay a subsidy to the amount of the remitted duties.” CHINA. The Methodist Church at Chengtu was destroyed by Chinese. Ten converts were killed. Boxerism is spreading. Belgian missionary advices received from China state that 50,000 armed Boxers are 150 miles southeast of Paotingfu. in Northern China. A Belgian priest has been murdered at Weihsin, in the Shantung province. In the House of Commons Lord Cranborne, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, announced that Russia, having declined to press certain conditions upon China in reference to the occupation of Tienstein, Sir E. Satow. British Minister in China, had been instructed to endeavour to obtain a modification of some of them. The English and American Mission buildings at Tienkschao and Lzechuan have been destroyed by ■ Chinese rioters. An edict degrading the magistrate at Lzechuan has been issued, and the Government has also ordered the extermination of the destroyers of the missions. The disturbance arose in connection with the indemnity riotsThe Russian forces at Mukden have been withdrawn. Kirin will be evacuated in December.