PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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it now stands is passed, it does not give a preference to British-borne goods over foreign-borne goods, and I want that question settled, as we shall not give a preference to British goods borne in our own ships. I move to insert the words, after the words "manufactures of the Colonies," to add the words “carried in British-owned ships."
Sir ALBERT HIME: In British bottoms.
Mr. SEDDON: Or in British bottoms.
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The SECRETARY OF STATE: Will you give me your words. Mr. Seddon?
Mr. SEDDON:
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British-owned ships" or "British-owned bottoms.'
I do not know which is the proper term. “British-owned ships." The two things are so wrapped up. After the word "Colonies" to add the words ** carried in British-owned ships."
The SECRETARY OF STATE: After the word "Colonies?"
Mr. FIELDING: That would only apply to one side of the trade.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: After the words "United Kingdom " you mean, do you not?
Mr., SEDDON : "To grant preferential treatment to the products and "manufactures of the Colonies.'
The SECRETARY OF STATE: Yes, that is the part that is omitted.
Mr. SEDDON: Oh, yes; that is right. Put it in after the words “ United Kingdom."
The SECRETARY OF STATE: After the words “United Kingdom.” Mr. SEDDON: The words "carried in British-owned ships.” .
The SECRETARY OF STATE: After the words United Kingdom," to add the words "carried in British-owned ships." Well, now, speaking to that amendment. I would like to point out to Mr. Seddon that as it stands it will be contrary to existing treaties. It is impossible for us to accept it. I mean in that form, but I would remind him that we have already passed a resolution about coastwise trade, which if it is acted upon will secure the object which he has in view. It is possible, without infringing upon the treaties, for New Zealand to make its own regulations with regard to goods carried in other than British bottoms, and that would give all that is required, but to put it into this resolution would be to put it in a form in which it would be contrary to British treaties.
Sir EDMUND BARTON: Coastwise trade includes trade between the various Colonies and between them and the United Kingdom?
The SECRETARY OF STATE: Quite so.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER: I think it would be a misfortune to complicate the principle of the resolution, though I sympathise with Mr. Seddon's point
of view.
Mr. FIELDING: There is another form in which a preference might be granted. Canada might desire to adopt it later on, but we did not want to
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complicate the resolution to-day. At present a considerable part of our trade passes through the United States. It is a fair question, when we come to the natter of preferential trading, whether we may not apply that to goods landed direct in Canada from British ships; but we looked on that more as a matter of detail at present, and did not want to complicate the resolution, although we sympathise with Mr. Seddon's object, and we may be able, by and by, to agree with him.
The PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE: I am afraid that Mr. Seddon's proposal might give rise to difficulties, even if it were left to each Colony to legislate with regard to goods ontering the Colony in other than British bottoms. There might be no objection in some cases, but in others there might be langer of infringing treaties. Every case would have to be looked into by itself.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: But when wo were discussing the natter the other day we passed the following resolution about coastwise trade:-
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»That it is desirable that the attention of the Governments of the Colonies and the United Kingdom should be called to the present state of the navigation laws in the Empire, and in other countries, and to the advisability of refusing the privileges of coastwise trade, including trade between the Mother Country and its Colonies and Possessions, and between one Colony or Possession and another, to countries in which the corresponding trade is confined to ships of "their own nationality and also to the laws affecting shipping with a "view of seeing whether any other steps shoull be taken to promote
Imperial trade in British vessels."
The PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE: That resolution involved the principle of reciprocity. If wo adhere to the principle of reciprocity there will be no danger of infringing any treaties.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: Mr. Seddon.
think you had better omit that,
Mr. SEDDON: I wish, Sir, to have a vote taken on it.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: It is moved by Mr. Seddon, to insert, after the words "United Kingdom,” "carried in British-owned ships."
Mr. SEDDON: Yes.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: Those who are of opinion that those words should be there inserted will vote.
Mr. SEDDON: For.
Sir WIDFRID LAURIER: Against.
Sir EDMUND BARTON: Against.
Sir ALBERT HIME: Against.
Mr. FULLER: Against.
Sir ROBERT BOND: Against.
The SECRETARY OF STATE: The amendment is lost, therofore I
now put the original resolution :——
1. That this Conference recognises that the principle of prefercu. “tial trade between the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Dominions
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