The Rev. Dr. W. H. Fitchett, the well-known author, in
an interview with a representative of the Westminster Gazette, repudiates the notion that Australia intends to make a tariff the measure of her loyalty. " Loyalty with us," he remarks, " is a sentiment, a conviction, and has no relation to a tariff whatever." He did not disguise the fact that Australia's idea of Preference might be to raise duties against the foreigners so as to give British goods an advantage, but he did not think she would admit British goods free. Sentiment, however, might triumph over pounds, shillings, and pence, but in that event " Australia must be convinced that it is the clear wish of Great Britain, shown in an unmistakable manner, and I do not think that she would agree to such a proposal until the question in England had passed entirely and completely out of the controversial stage." Dr. Fitchett further stated that no public man in Australia ever dreamt of separation, in view of her dependence on the naval supremacy of the Mother- country. As regards the material resources of the Colony, he contended that it greatly exceeded Canada in products, that its people were larger customers of England, and offered far better opportunities to intending British emigrants.
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