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Mr. Seddon.] My reply would be: I speak for myself and for my Colony : we are sufficiently satisfied of this fact, that the existence of the treaties is an interference with the power we have always had, and which has been conceded to us, that we can arrange and manage our own fiscal affairs, and they stand in the way of that being done, and that is now the sort of block in Canada. an interference in that respect, and as it takes 12 months I think after denounce- ment before it takes effect, if you wait for the enquiry, which must naturally be protracted, it would be in the meantime; probably you know what these things are, and public opinion varies, we do not know what is going to happen even in Canada, or elsewhere. I think if an opportunity were found for doing that, it could be supported here and could not be taken exception to by the foreign nations.
The Secretary of State.] Sir Gordon Sprigg, would you tell us what your view is as regards the Cape Colony.
Sir Gordon Sprigg.] Yes, Mr. Chamberlain, I have held the office of treasurer of the Colony for 10 years, and during that time I have frequently had occasion to amend the tariff, and on all these occasions I found myself hampered, to some extent, by the existence of these treaties, so that I am entirely in favour of the denunciation of these treaties. Then, to whether we should be prepared to with regard to the question as give a preference to British imports, I would say, personally, I am very much in favour of it, and I think it is likely I should obtain a majority in our Par- liament; but, of course, as you are aware, sir, we have a great difficulty there which does not exist in other Colonies.
We have n customs union with a foreign state, the Orange Free State, and it would be necessary before effect could be given to proposals to give a preference in the way that has been suggested, to consult the Government of the Orange Free State. If they agreed with us, then the thing might be done. I would say at once that I think it would be upon the lines of maintaining the existing duties as regards British imports, hut raising the duties against foreign imports, because in our Colony we depend to a very large extent for our revenue upon the customs collections, and we could not afford to give up any larger sum than we have done recently, which amounts this year to 500,000, about one-quarter of the total customs revenue. We should not be able to proceed further upon those lines at pre- sent, but on the general principle I would say that I ani in favour of giving a preference to British imports.
The Secretary of State.] Would the gentlemen representing the other Colonies say briefly what their views are.
Sir H. M. Nelson.] With regard to Queensland, I think a proposition to denounce the treaties would be very favourably received, not only for the reasons submitted by others that the Colonies were not consulted when the treaties were concluded, but because I think the moral effect of it would be taken as an intimation to the world that Great Britain was going to commence to do something for the Colonies, and to consolidate the trade of the Empire. We are entirely a producing community, and our manu- factures are in their infancy, and as far as giving a preference to those of the mother country is concerned, I do not think there would be much difficulty, but it would, probably, take the form which has been mentioned by Sir George Turner, of increasing the duties towards foreign nations and leaving the British manufactures as they are at present. We, of course, look forward to the time, although you do not apparently hold out at present any hopes of it, when our raw products will receive some consideration at the hands of the British Government; that is to say, that goods, well, and every raw product that we produce, will be received in England on more favourable terms than the same products from foreign countries; and I think that the denunciation of the treaties would be taken as a step in that direction, as an intimation that that was probably the future course which would be pursued, and hence I think the moral effect of it would be very great. I think that that is briefly all that I have to say on the subject, Mr. Chamberlain.
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Mr. Kingston.] I should like to say, Mr. Chamberlain, that the way in which the matter strikes me is this: Canada, in endeavouring to inake an arrangement for giring a preference to Britain, is met by a difficulty raised by the existence of these treaties. She is therefore desirous So far as South Australia that these treaties should be denounced.
is concerned I have pleasure in joining in that request and in saying that we still adhere to the resolution which was unanimously adopted at Öttawa in 1894, when South Australia was amongst the Colonies represented : "That any provisions in existing treaties between Great Britain and any foreign Power which prevent the self-governing dependencies of the Empire from entering into an agreement of commercial reciprocity with each other or with Great Britain should be removed." I would like, however, at the same time to make it clear that I by no means pledge myself to recommend, if these treaties are denounced, action similar to that which has been taken by Canada, and which confers on Britain a preference without receiving any- thing in exchange. We do favour increased trade relationships with the mother country. We have proved it on a variety of occasions in South Australia by giving preference to British tenderers when foreign tenderers appeared some- what lower. At the same time, whilst Britain seeks improved markets for her manufactures, so we should like improved markets for our raw products, and we think that it is possible that something might be done in that direction. We would, if something of that sort could be done, he very pleased to recommend Parliament to place increased duties on foreign goods, and to Of course I know that give a preference to British manufactures. we shall be told, as we have been told, that it is impossible for Britain, being pledged to a policy of free trade, to do anything in we could not the same direction. Under those circumstances of course ask it with any degree of confidence, but we would point out as regards some articles, particularly articles which South Australia produces, and to which, of course, I am naturally disposed to give more attention, that there are heavy duties in Britain on those. I refer, of course, to wines and spirits, and with- out any abandonment of the policy of free trade, indeed, by a step further in the direction of free trade, by a reduction in the duties on those articles, an advantage might be given to the Colony which I come from, and to other Colonies which are similarly circumstanced, which would be highly appreciated, and on account of which they would endeavour to give practical expression to their gratitude. As regards the other matter of a Zollverein, Britain and the Colonies admitting the products and the manufactures of each other, but imposing duties, such I understood to be the suggestion, imposing duties against foreign countries, that seems to me to have very much to recommend it; but, of course, the way in which it would be exactly regarded in the Colonies must depend a great deal upon the details as to what was particularly proposed. I think it is quite probable that preference given to our local products by a Zollverein of that character suggested, would be hailed with delight in Australia, and induce action of a character of which Britain would wholly approve, but it seems to me to depend so much upon the particular lines and items, that it is impossible, at this moment, to express an opinion definitely, though I should welcome any proposal for the appointment of a Commission, or any body charged with the necessary authority, to examine into the matter and make recommendations for the consideration of the lm- perial and local governments. Such shortly are my views.
Sir E. N. C. Braddon.] The Colonies have for some years been asking for the denunciation of such treaties as those of Germany and Belgium, and necessarily we are only repeating the expressed views of the Colonies on that subject. As regards the closer trade relations between the Colonies and the mother country, I am one of very many who desire to see those effected at as early a date as possible and as thoroughly as possible. But in the Colonies of Australasia, with the exception of New South Wales, I do not see how we could do anything that would have the necessary effect. understand from you, sir, that you only desire that preference as the sequence of a free trade policy, and that British goods, with the exception of or two other articles, should be absolutely spirits and tobacco and one'
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