The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-11
nRITIsH COMMERCIAL UNION.
Comments OF London Editors ON
CbamberIain's Proposals.

London. June 1O.-The st. James Gazette
enthusiastically concurs with Mr. Cham
herlain in the proposals which be made
In his speech welcoming the colonial dele
gates To the congress OF the chamber
or commerce, which began its situngs in
Grocers hall yesterday, but thinks that
the movement suggested by Mr.. Chamber
lain of the formation of a commercial
union or the various portions OF the
British empire ought to be Initiated by
tne United hingdom Instead Of the colo
niss as proposed hy Mr.. Chamberlain.
The Globe. ON the other hand. while
concurring i'm the proposal. expresses the
beileI that the proposal should emauate
from the colonies.
The Pail Mall Gazette agrees with its
contemporaries In the opinion that "a com
mercial union Is desirable, but thinks that
the establishment OF a customs union
Is very remote
The second days sitting Of the congress
was opened at 10 o'clock this morning.
Joseph q. Colmer, secretary TO the Cana
dian high commission. announced that
the Canadian delegates had considered
the resolution offered yesterday by Feath-
erstone OslCr Of Toronto on behalf of the
board OF trade OF that city. and had also
given consideration TO the amendment
thereto, offered by Sir Donald A. Smith or
Montreal, Canadian high commissioner
I'M London, with the result that they had
agreed 10 amend Mr.. Osler's resolution
so as TO produce a joint Canadian rcsolu-
tion. The motion by Ar. Oslcr he said
reclted that 10 was the opinion OF the CON
grcSs that the advantages arising from "A
closer union OF the empire would justify
an arrangement as nearly as possible
IN the nature of "a zOllvcrcin based upon
principles OF the freest exchange of com
modltles within the empire consistent with
the tarim requirements incident to the
maintenance OF the local government of
each kingdom, dominion. province and
SoleHy now forming part OF the British
family Of nations.
Sir Donald Smiths amendment to this
resolution had set forth that the congress
records its belief in the adVisabilltv and
practicabnity OF customs Arrangement
between Great Britain and her colonies
ana india, on the basis Of preferential
Ireaitment' ana recommending that her
majesty government take steps TO bring
ABOUT an interchange Of opinions on the
subject between the mother country and
the other governments OF the empire
The amendment which had been agreed
upon by the Canadian delegates, Mr.. Coll
mer said, consisted OF the adoption OF "a
recommendation that her majestys gov
ethmeht take steps to bring about an ln-
terchange Of opinions between Great Bril-
tain and the other governments compris-
ed IN the empire. emitting the words "as
nearly as possible In the nature Of a zoll-
vereln,' which were embodied IN Mr.. Os-
ler's motion.
Mr.. Henry, delegate from Hobart. Tas-
mania, opposed the resolution. He
thought that the British government IL
SELF ought to take the responsibility Of
formulating a scheme Of union
+Att''AA NtNH wa AhNNNi NNN MI
Colmer's amendment. lie admitted that
IL would be difficult for England to ini-
uate movement for a commercial union,
as the mother country was Obliged to con-
slider the masters and the working classes.
lie suggested the holding of a meeting of
tho colonial representatives apart from
the English TO consider the question
Sir Albert Kaye Rollltt. president OF the
London Chamber or Commerce, eventually
proposed a resolution, which was second
ed by Mr.. Osler, Affirming that the SUBJ
1ect Of the establishment Of closer COM
mercial relations between the United King
dom and the colonies demands careful con-
sideration, and the congress, therefore
respectfully represents to her maiesty's
government that, II the suggestion should
be made on behalf of the colonies or some
OF them, II would be expedient to promote
such consideration and formulate some
practical plan by summoning an imperial
conference which would be fully represen-
tive Of the interests involved, or by such
other means as her majesty's government
may be advised to adopt.
Ihe resolution was unanimously adopted
amid cheers and the other resolutions on
the subject We're Withdrawn.
Sir Donald A. Smith withdrew his amend
ment, remarlEng that Sir Albert Rollitt's
resolution did not ask any more than II
was entitled to demand. Canada, he said
felt that free trade was impossible so long
as the boundary of the United States
formed wall Of protection against the
dominion