411

A—s

" Dominions beyond the Seas would stimulate and facilitate mutual coni- " mercial intercourse, and would by promoting the development of the " resources and industries of the several points, strengthen the Empire." I think we all can agree with that; but there is a qualification in the next statement: " That this Conference recognises that, in the present circum- " stances of the Colonies, it is not practicable to adopt a general system of "Free Trade as between the Mother Country and the British Dominions " beyond the Seas." We acknowledged, at that time, it was not possible for the Conference to do more than that up to that time—that it was not possible to adopt a system of universal Free Trade amongst us. Then we assert: ' That with a view, however, to promoting the increase of trade within the " Kmpire, it is desirable that those Colonies which had not adopted such a " policy should, as far as their circumstances permit, give substantial pre- " ferential treatment to the products and manufactures of the United " Kingdom." Upon the principles which are here enunciated in these tliice resolutions I think all those here assembled from the Dependencies beyond the Seas are unanimous in agreeing. The next resolution is in these words : " That the Prime Ministers of the Colonies respectfully urge on " His Majesty's Government the expediency of granting in the United " Kingdom preferential treatment to the products and manufactures of the " ( olonies, either by exemption from, or reduction of, duties now or here- " after imposed." My friend, Mr. Deakin, speaking on behalf of Australia, has proposed to go one step beyond this and to adopt this resolution : " That " it is desirable that the United Kingdom grant preferential treatment to " the products and manufactures of the Colonies." Perhaps,on consideration, Mr. Deakin would agree with us, that it would be preferable not to force this, but to keep to the resolution of 1902. We are all agreed at this table—those who come from the Dependencies beyond the Seas—that we have no desire and no intention of forcing a policy which we believe in, upon the British people, if they are not prepared to receive it. I have stated a moment ago that a statement had been made —we heard it in 1902, and we hear it again in 1907—that the Canadian preference has not done as much for British trade as had been hoped for. I repeat, there is a way of doing it. It is by adopting a mutual system of preference. But again, I suppose the British Government represented here may say : " No, "we are not prepared to do that. We might improve our trade with our self"governing Dependencies; but, whilst we might do this, we would disturb " the whole system of trade and would lose perhaps more than we would gain " otherwise by disturbing the whole system of trade that we have in this " country." This is a question which is not for us. lam not prepared to discuss it at this moment or give it a passing word. This is a matter which is altogether in the hands of the British people, and they have to choose between one thing and the other; and if they think on the whole that their interests are better served by adhering to their present system than by yielding ever so little, it is a matter for the British electorate. First of all, I expressed my own views, and I think I expressed the views of all here assembled, that nothing could be more detrimental to the existence of the British Empire than to force upon any part of it, even for the general good, a system which would be detrimental locally, or might be believed to be detrimental locally. For my part, T would have no hesitation at all in resenting any attempt made to force upon the Canadian people anything which the Canadian people would not believe in even for the broad idea of doing good to the whole Empire. I think the best way of serving the whole is by allowing every part to serve and recognise its own immediate interests. So far as, and as long as, the interests of the British Empire depend upon this and recognise this principle—that every one of those communities which are allowed the privilege of administering their own affairs by their own palia-

Twelfth Day. 7 May 1907.

Preferential Trade. (Sir Wilfrid Laurier.)