A.—s

264

centre. All of these are sustained by the sentiment of unity in which we begin and end-—the inexpressibly valuable inspiration, allied to the deepest forces within us, upon whose propelling power this nation, this Empire depends and must always depend, and which wdll decide its destiny. As I have occupied a considerable time in dealing with the Australian view, perhaps my colleague, in whose special department trade lies, might be allowed to speak at a later stage when other- members have addressed the Conference, so that Australia may not monopolise too much time. (dIAIRMAN : Would you prefer that, Sir William? Sir Wild JAM LYNE : Yes, T would prefer that. Mr. DEAKIN : T will hand in, as an illustration of my argument as to our opportunities of preferential trade with the Mother Country, two tables, analysing a year's imports. The first is headed " Produce other than wool which Australia could supply," and shows that we supply 10,000,000/., British Possessions 41,000,000/., and foreign countries 159,000,000/., total 21 1,000,000/. The other shows " A year's imports into the United Kingdom of dairy produce, grain, and hay" produced in Australia and other British Possessions, and imported into Great Britain. The total is 38,000,000/., of which only If millions come from Australia, and only 7,000,000/. more from the other British Possessions. The tables handed In are as follows: —

Ninth Day. I May 11107

I'IiKFKUENTIAI ThaAi. (Mr. Dfakin.)

A Year's Imports into the United Kingdom of Produce other than Wool which Australia could supply. 1905.

i . i- From Other From Foreign ~ . IlllnnrU From Australia. Brit)ih Po , sesRiolls . Countries. To,al Im P° rts - Butter ... Gheese ... Flour and wheat... Other grain Eggs and poultry Flax Fruit ... Skins and hides ... Lard Leather -Meat ... Olive oil Sugar ... Milk (condensed) Tallow ... Honey ... ::: £ £ £ £ 2 307 835 2,905,382 16,373,405 21,586,622 5,007,516 1,332,295 6,339,811 4,291,027 11,110,194 25,923,555 41,324,776 s 685 5,031,260 23,790,922 28,880,767 173,543 7,638,483 7,812,026 16,400 3,213,742 3,230,142 240,506 1,395,604 8,958,470 10,594,580 693,274 2,569,119 6,774,721 10,037,i14 630,425 3,062,148 3,692,573 265,786 2,492,349 4,985,540 7,748,675 1 635,160 > 7,222,842 29,514,113 38,372,115 145,859 1,554,626 1,300,751 3,001,236 1,264,026 25,503,029 26,767,055 343 62,299 62,642 768,996 458,633 1,141,757 2,369,386 17,442 17,321 31,763 10,357,028 41,849,704 159,592,551 211,799,283 Wool ... 10,768,050 9,051,196 4,002,579 23,821,825 l_ _±_ i l_ ' For details see next page.