New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-03
GEN. BOTH1 FOR TARIFF.
Surprises Imperial Conference
Strongly Opposed by Mr.. Asquith,

London. May General Botha, Premier OF
the Trausvaal, sprang a surprise at the i'm
perial conference to-day by the declaration that
he was uncompromisngly opposed TO CONNER
cal conference within the empire 1t was gen
orally supposed he would agree with Alfred
Deakin, whose views had already been strongly
Endorsed by Sir Joseph Ward, Frederick Il. Moor
and DR. Jameson respectively premers of New
Zealand. Natal and Cape Colony.
General Botha's declaration took the line that
ii would be competent for his government TO
raise tariffs against British goods against
those of other countries if that policy COM
mended itself. He protested against any at
tempt to rob the respective governments of their
freedom In tariff matters.
Sir Robert Bond Premier of Newfoundland
spoke in a similar strain. generally opposing
Mr. Deakin's views. while Sir James Lyle Mac
kay on behalf OF the India Office. strongly OPP
posed all proposals in the nature Of protective
duties.
Herbert H. Asquith, Chancellor Of the En-
chequer. in a strong speech. in which he was
fortified with array OF statistics. replied Tor
the government. He opposed preferences say"
ing they would involve the setting up or
new system of duties which would be an in
fringement of the root and principle OF free
trade While the colonies might hold prefer
ences vital TO their interests, his majesty's gov
eminent held free trade as vital to the interest
Of the United Kingdom and could not accept
mentally
The premiers held two sittngs to-day, but
reached decision
The suggestion thrown out by Sir Wifrld
I.aurier the Canadian Premier, 70 the effect that
the imperial government. without violating its
free trade principles. might give the colonies
A ouid pro quo for their preferential treatment
of British goods by substituting lines OF steam
ers between England and the more important
colonies is being seriously considered by the
Cabinet The object of the suggestion is to
bring about q reduction in freight charges thus
giving an indirect form of preference to the
colonies.
Those I'm close touch with the government.
however point out that the British government
has spent millions of pounds sterling in profit
less railroads in Africa and that this is the
legitimate form of preference which the colonies
are entitled TO expect. The Canadian Premier
especially suggested imperial steamship lines
between England and Canada and Canada and
Australasia reducing the time from England to
Australia to twenty instead of thirty days. and
i'm the end dverting of the traffic now
going by way of New YORK
Mr. Asuuith's attitude in the conference,
though n had been fOreseen, is great disap-
pontment to the party advocating a pTeferen-
tial policy Some consolation however, is found
in the fact that Mr.. Asquith expressed the SYM
uathy and willingness OF the government to
oDerate i'm any practicable scheme for improv-
ing steamship communication. the reduction
abolition of Suez Canal dues and the estab-
lishment of a mail service with Australasia by
way of Canada means OF widening the
imperial trade Thus the hope is that the con-
ference will not separate without effectng soine-
ching practical