PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 916, 15 June 1903, Page 2

PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.

OPPOSITION VIEWS.

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright, Received 5.1(1 p.m., June. H.

LONDON, June 13

The Miners’ Federation Conference ■being held at Hath reaffirmed their confidence in freetrade, and condemned the vacillating policy of Messrs Balfour and Chamberlain’s schemes ; also the wanton insults on workers and trades unionists contained in recent speeches. Lord Rosebery, speaking at a dinner at the Liberal League, said'tliat he believed that Mr Chamberlain was seeking unity of the Empire, but M-.r Cl amlierlain had not sufficiently thought out a. plan. He did not believe Ihe policy foreshadowed, if carried out, would cement the Empire. IF not carried out, the raising of the. question in the manner it ha<; been raised would do irreparable damage, for as he understood the Government proposals he coujid conceive nothing so detrimental to tiie Empire’s union and prosperity. There were many difficulties to overcome, due to distance and mutual jealousies. He trembled to think of the effect on the Empire’s delicate world-wide organisation. He added: “ A zoiJverein would imply discriminating tariffs with the Motherland to meet the difficulty of varying distances and competing colonics.’’ Mr Asquith strongly supported freetrade. He said the proposed in-ci-iry was for the exclusive benefit of Mr Balfour, ‘who alone among his colleagues had unsettled conviction;! and an open mi ml.