The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-10
a nRIrIsH COMMERCIAL Union.
Congress OF the Chambers OF Com
merce Of the Empire.

London. June 9.-The third congress Of
the chambers Of commerce OF the empire
began its first sitting in GrOctrs ban at
10 o'clock this morning. The ham was
crowded with delegates ana others. Jo-
soph Chamberlain. secretary of state for
the colonies. and honorary pres
ident Of the congress, deliver
ed speech welcoming the del
egates. in which he promised the
representatives OF Canada that their pro-
posal OF bringing into a closer union the
various portions Of the British empire
by the creation of commercial EoAer-
vein would not be met by a plank refusal
Chamberlain spoke of the paramount ne
cessity for the commercial union OF the
empire, which, he said, was az the root
of all the problems with which they had
10 deal. Il was his opinion that cus-
toms union was the most feasible of any
of the proposals which aimed AT COM
mercial UNION, and Il was an essential
condition that Great Britain should con-
sent TO replace the import duties upon
certain articles of large production in the
colonies such as corn, meat wool, sugar,
etc, but he thought the proposal TO re-
place such duties should emanale from
the colonies and not from the United
The chambers of commerce Of all the
British colonies were represented IN the
Lords Loeb and Knutsford, Mr. Sydney
BpXton, NJ. F., Sir John Lubbock, NJ j..
and Sir George Baden Powell, NJ. r, We're
At The conclusion of Mr.. Chamberlain's s
remarks Hon. Featherston Osler OF To-
ronto, ont, novel, on behalf or the board
of trade Of that cAy, that il was the opin-
ion of the congress that the advantages
arising from a closer union OF the empire
would justify an arrangement as nearly
as possible in the nature of a zOlervein
based upon the principles of the treest eN-
change Of commodities Wlthin the en-
pire consistent with tarln requirements IN
Cident 90 the maintenance OF the local
government of each kingdom DOMINION
province and colony now forming a part
of the British family Of nations.
Delegate Mander of olverhamptOn
seconded the resolution OF Mr.. Oslpr and
Sir Donald Alexander Smith OF Montreal
moved an amendment, reclting that the
congress records its belief IN the advisa-
bihty and pracucability Of customs ar
rangement between Great Britain and her
colonies and India on the basis OF pre-
ferential treatment and recommending
that her majesty's government take steps
ions on the subject between the mother
country and the other governments OF the
empire.
Speaking I'm support Of his amendment,
Sir Donald Smith said that If the imperial
government grasped the matter boldly
their action would lead to another great
colonial conference held IN LONDON; az
which the details of measure Wnicn
would be satisfactory to the colonies and
| the United Kingdom could be arranged.
! A moderate scheme of preferential treat
ment, Sir Donald said, need not shock
| reasonable economic theories, nor lend to
measures of retaliation. He expressed
| doubt that in the face of a commercial
union Of the component communities of
the British empire other countries would
| initiate q policy Of retaliation. Germany
| and the United States surely could not
| object, inasmuch as they had adopted a
! policy of preferential treatment them
| selves.
Mr Twigge of Vancouver, seconded the
| resolution.
Mr. Reid Of Victoria, said that he was
| not willing to accept either the resolution
or the amendment. He pointed out num-
| Der of obstacles and advised that the sub
| ject be relegated to the consideration of a
| conference Of experts.
| Messrs Mccarthy of Liverpool, Holland
| of Manchester and Burnie Of Swansea
| supported the free trade policy of Great
| Britain.
Mr.. Hopkins of Toronto referred to the
| Americans as looking forward to the time
| when the whole of America would be
| united under the Mckinley tariff and the
! Monroe doctrine The American man of
| letters, he said, might not favor war,
| but the American people (here the chair
| man interrupted the speaker and called
| him to order).
| Mr.. Hopkins resuming his remarks said
| that financial and commercial men must
| guard against the possibility Of war, and
| should support the policy which guaran-
| teed thar their food would come from
| their own people.
| Mr.. Colmer moved to adjourn the Ge-
| bate on the resolution until tomorrow.