New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-11
COLONIES MUST MOVE FIRST.
A vEXING QUESTION SETTLED BY THE
COMMERCIAL CONGRESS.

TO FORMULATE PLAN FOR CLOSER
UNIoN-MR CTIAMBERLAIN's SPEECH
AT THE CHAMBER OF con-
MERGE DINNER.
London, June 1O-The second days sitting OF
the third Congress OF Chambers OF Commerce
of the Empire was opened in Grocers' Hall at
10 o'clock this morning.
Joseph c. Colmer secretary to the Canadian
High Commissioner in London. announced that
the Canadian delegates had considered the reso-
luton offered yesterday by Featherstcn Osler.
OF Toronto, on behalf OF the Board Of Trade or
that city and had also given consideration TO
the amendment thereto, offered by Sir Donald
A. Smith, OF Montreal. Canadian High Commits
soner in London with the result that they had
agreed to amend Mr.. Oslers resolution so as to
produce a Joint Canadian resolution
The motion made by Mr.. Osler, he said re-
cited that it the opinion Of the Congress
that the advantages arising from closer union
Of the Empire would Justify an arrangement as
nearly as possible In the nature OF 1ollvere'n
based upon principles Of the freest exchange OF
commodities within the Empire consistent with
tariff requirements incident TO the maintenance
OF local government OF each kingdom. province.
dominion and colony now forming part OF the
British family OF ratione.
Sir Donald Smiths amendment TO this resou-
ton had get forth that the Congress records It's
belief In the advsability and practicabity OF a
customs arran cement between Great Britain ana
her colonies and India the basis Of preferen-
tial treatment and recommending that Her Ma
jestys 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 tho Canadian delegates. Mr.. Colmer said. con-
sisted Of the addition OF a recommendation that
Her Majestys Government take steps to bring
about an interchange Of opinions between Great
Britain and tho other governments comprised III
the Empire. emitting the words las nearly aa
possible In the nature Of a zollverein. which
were embodied In Mr.. Osers motion.
ENGIAND's RESPONSIBILITY.
Mr. Henry. delegate from Hobart. Tasmania.
opposed the resolution. He thought that the
British Government; itsclf ought TO take the re-
sponsibility Of formulating n scheme Of union
Sir William Dcs Voeux supported Mr. Colmers
amendment He admitted that II would be diff
cult for England TO initiate a movement for a
commercial union az he mother country was
obliged to consider both tho masters and the
meeting of the colonial representatives. apart
from the English 10 consider the question
Sir Albert Rollit president OF the London
Chamber Of Commerce. eventually proposed a
resolution which wns seconded by Mr.. Osler.
affirming that the subject of closer commercial
relations between the United Kingdom and the
colonios demands careful consideration and the
congress therefore, respectfully represents TO
Her Majesty's Government that II the SUGGESTION ,
should De made on behalf ~ thr Coon'es' ., sh
Of them |, would be expedient 10 promote su'n
confederation and formulate some pfactlcal pan
10y summonng an Imperial conference. VIM ~,
,ro,d he fully representative OF the interests IN
vnlvod or by such other means as Her Majesty
Government may be advised 70 adopt
The resolution was unanimously auopte" at'i'N
cheers. and the other resoIut"nS o'' '"e '"''
Sir Donald 4. smith withdrew his amendment
rcrarking that Sir Albert Rotts resolution
ala not ask any more than II was enu,'eu 10 "
rnaud Canada he said. felt that free trade was
I,,r,,asllle ~ long the boundary OF the unteh
states formed wall OF protection against 'he
Dominion.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DINNER.
The annual dinner OF the London Chamber Of
Commerce was held this evening and was AT
tended by many guests. among whom were SIT
Mackenzie Bowel one Of the Canadian dele
q,i.s 10 the Congress ~ the Chambers OF Com
merce ~ the Empire, Sir Donald Alexander
smith, Canadian llgh ''HliHlHS'""'' III ''"
don; the Earl OF Jersey, the Earl ~ Seioorhe'
Parliamentary Secretary - the colonial once
the Right Hon. George y. Curzon, Parliamentary
Secretary T. the Foreign ONCE; "A number OF
other delegates 20 the Congress Of the CHAMBERS
Of Commerce and other prominent persons
The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Secre-
,ary OF state for the Colonies. delivered speech.
I'm which he reiterated his Views upon the SUB
icct Of free commercial intcrchang, between me
component parts of tho Empire. whether the
latter perished like the empires of antiquity,
MIR Chamberlain declared. depended less upon
the people u the British Isles than upon the
possible action OF the Greater Britain binding
the parts II the Empire more closely together