STATESMEN'S SPEECHES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 894, 18 May 1903, Page 2

STATESMEN'S SPEECHES.

NATION’S FISCAL POLICY

STIRRING SPEECH BY MR

CHAMBERLAIN

By Telegraph P

Association—Copying!

Received 4 80 p.m., May 17. Loudon, May 17. Mr Chamberlain addressed his constituents in the Birmingham Town Hall. Lie was given a trciucm.ous ovation. Dealing with tlie question ot South Atnca iie emphasised the hopes of its unification. Upon his return from South Africa he t'uu ml not imperial but local questions tilling tiic minds ol the pubac. Our imperiul policy was vital to the colonies, and vital to us. Referring to trade preference o Tic red by (Jauada and Australasia, lie said he was not a protectionist, but if the narrow interpretation of free trade current in homo circles prevailed, the Motherland would lose the advantage that a further reduction in duty in Canada was now offering. Germany’s action in penalising Canada for making the oiler of preferential trade relations was intended to deter others from giving to the Motherland similar advantage. It was a threat against South Africa and Australasia. This policy iof dictation and interference was justified by the belief that we were so wedded to the fiscal system that wo cannot interfere to defend the colonies, and that any oi these attempting to establish special relations with us must bear the brunt of foreign hostility. That was a humiliating I position whereof it was easy to predict the I consequences. 1 How could we, continued Mr Chamberlain, ask the Colonies to bear their shares of the Empire’s burden along with a share of the privileges. They would say what privileges ? We treat you as relations I and friends by giving you a preference ; you reap the benefit and leave us to fight I our own battle. Mr Chamberlain asked is that free trade V—to which there were cries ot “ No.”

Mr Chamberlain, continuing, said it was an absolutely new situation, not contemplated by the authors of free trade. Cobden did not hesitate to make treaty of preference and reciprocity with France, and John Bright approved of both of them. To-day we would make a similar I treaty with our children. This statement the meeting greeted with pLolouged cheering. Mr Chamberlain added : The people of the Empire have got to consider this situation. Ido not want to hasten the decision. Tho first alternative is the wrong interpretation mentioned before. Too I second is that wo should insist on not being bound by any technical definition of free trade, and while we seek to force an interchange of trade with the nations, we would recover freedom of power of negotiating, if necessary by retaliation, whenever our interests or tho relations cf the colonies and ourselves are threatened. (Loud cheers.) He concluded the speech with a peroration, in favor of a self-sustaining, sullicient Empire. There is a concensus of opinion amongst Unionists that the speech is meant as an earnest, frank, and loyal warning to Mr Chamberlain’s colleagues. The Standard predicts that the speech will be remembered as the starting point of a new development of party relations. Received 4.5 G p.m., May 10. Mr Balfour, replying to a great deputation against tho remission ol the Corn Tax, denied that it was ever intended to be a permanent portion of tho fiscal system. It was a war tax, and must be connected with a great national need, or great change in the national policy. Protection could not he introduced quietly or accidentally, but on the impulse of tho wliolo peoplo. He favored universal free trade. The protection in other countries gave us many advantages. Tho union of the colonies would be difficult. It might some day be possible, but a fiscal union could not como from one or two industries, but from the heart and intellect of the peoplo. Receiveds.l4 p.m., May 17. Sir H. Campbell Bannerman, speaking at Scarborough, said that if the preferential claims oi autonomous colonies were admitted, India and the Crown colonies must follow. Then there would be a Chinese wall round the Empire, Britishers from the battlements shooting defiance to tho world.' Such.a policy contained inevitable seeds of dismemberment. I