The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-06-10
BRITISH TRADE CONGRESS.
LOOKING To Free trade Between Al
Parts OF the FrsufrN


London, June s.-The third congress O..
'ae eaasnSeEs OF commerce OF the Rritlsa
empire opened AT , o'clock this morning.
"lta Joseph Chamberlain. secretary Of
state Tor TIE coson1es ami honorary presi-
oeat OF The congress, n the chair The
naA ~as flied with DELEGATES frana al
parts o1 the empire. those OF each colony
eeiag grouped under thesr own banner
SAnae4 lad Two tables. and the others Aad
one Tie Canadian delegation was headed
py SIR Mackenzie Bowel and sanford
Flening. The gallery was aleG wGta
aan8es szr Albert RoIItt VI. p, pres. seat
OF the London Chamber OF Commerce, wei
coined iae delegates az the head o. the
stairs Mr.. Chamberlain was sccompaa-
aed oy number OF notzhle colonists and
agents general. including Sir Henry
nrosis nam Loeb, Lord knutsford, the Earl
o. Jersey, Sir George Baden-P Powell and
many others
Mr.. Chamberlain was enthusiastically
cneers1 as he officially welcomed the dele
gates Among other things he said he was
rejo4cea az every fresh Indication o. the
essential unity OF the empire. upon which
was founded all thesr hopes. The omers.
ne added, were never more favorable. ard
ne trusted their deliberations would resuir
"a an advance toward the goal 10 which all
patriotic aspirations tended. Continuing.
Ar. Chamberlain remarked:
The existence Of this congress Is evf-
oeHcs that Ne have 10 4 great extent an
naHtiaied space. ana that further knovFt-
edge must tend 10 a complete agreement
between The colonies and the mother coun-
Try. Tie same note for closer union
rlhgs m al the resolutions. and all the
proposals are Gwarfed into inslgrifcaace
IN comparison with the proposals TO se-
cure tie commercial union of the en-
pire. such a commercial union will receS-
state council OF the empire, to which
will be remltted al questions OF CON-
nerc-al law in which the whole empire IS
interested But this is not all Imperial
defense will also come within the de-
Anerations OF the united empire ard this
question is root OF problem with
which ne have 10 deal. So far. however
there has been q deadlock. The proposals
OF the British free traders have been re-
Jecged by the colonies. and the proposals
OF the colonial protectionaIsts. have been
rejected by Great Britain. Consequently
We must find third course. and give and
take on both sides will be found the
terms OF such a proposal"
Mr. Cham befl lam then dwelt upon the
resolution of the Toronto Board of Trade
which urges that the advantages 10 be
obtained by a closer union between the
various parts OF the British empire are
so great as 10 justify an arrangement as
nearly as possible in the nature OF xoIl-
yerein, based upon the principle OF the
freest exchange of commodities within
the empire consistent with tariff require
ments incident to the maintenance OF the
local government OF each kingdom, do
minion. province or colony now forming
part OF the British family OF nations
Mr.. Chamberlain said that the adoption
OF this plan would establish Immediately
and practically free trade throughout the
empire. while leaving the contracting par
ties free TO make their Own arrangements
in regard to duties on foreign goods. ex-
cept that the essential condition of the
proposal was that Great Britain would
consent TO moderate the duties on certain
articles largely produced in the colonies
In the opinion OF Mr.. Chamberlain. II this
proposal was backed by any considerabi
support II would not be met with a blank
refusal on the part of Great Britain.
The honorary president also touched
upon the resolutions adopted by other
Chambers OF Commerce throughout the
empire, OF which that OF the Montreal
chamber is a fair sample. He declared
that In order 10 extend The change and
consumption or home products in every
part of the British empire different sys-
TEN should be adopted by the imperial and
colonial governments In favor of the home
productions against the imported foreign
articles. All these resolutions were pre-
sented to the congress IN a printed form.
A r. Oler submitted the resolution OF
the Toronto Board of Trade. which was
first on the programme. 1t was seconded
by the Marquis OF Londonderry. Donald
Smith amended II by recommending that
steps be taken by the governments 10 Sc
cure an Interchange OF opinion on the sub
tect between Great Britain and the other
governments Of the empire Nearly every
chamber of commerce OF importance in the
British empire is interested In the con-
gresE. and all those who have sent seie-
gates have instructed them In one way or
another looking 10 the establishment OF a
consultative imperial council 10 pass upon
matters connected with defense