PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 918, 17 June 1903, Page 2

PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.

.VIEWS OF MR CHAMBERLAIN AND OTHERS. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, June 15. Mr Chamberlain, replying to a cor.'ospundent., staled ilutl Gcnnuny's and America's foreign trade, despite protection, had increased much more rapidly than Great Britain's, while the cheaper cost of living in Amenta leaves the workers a much larger margin.

The Spectator advises the freetrade Lniuuisls to lorm a specia organisation, to prevent Mr Chamberlain's section utilising the party.’: political machinery. The practical unanimity with whie: Canada has accepted Mr Chamber lam's policy impresses America: economists aud statesmen. SYDNEY, June Ui.

The. Daily Telegraph, which opposes .Mr Chamberlain’s proposals, stales that Sir John See’s despatch on the preferential tariff question is of no ollicial or representative value, and is simply the opiniou of a small group of politicians wiio happen to lie protectionists. The Elate has always voted freelrade every time, tile question lias been put to it, and there is no ground for supposing that the public point, of view has changed to such a revolutionary extent, that it is now favorable to protection. The question is one for the Federal Government, and State Governments have no right- to meddle with it. J 1 is strange, says the paper, that Air Chamberlain should have, permitted Sir John See’s breach ot etiquette in communicating direct, and not through the Federal Government. The Herald declares that Sir Harry Rawson is in no way responsible for the message or its eotilculs, and that, he simply transmitted, for the benefit of the imperial Government, the gratuitous views of his .Ministers on a question not. within their province. Sir John See’s message, says the. paper, is little short ot an impertinence.

LABOUCHERE’S QUESTIONS. AND MR BALFOUR’S REPLY. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrigb Received 12.40 a.in., Juno 17. London, June 16.

Mr Balfour, replying to Mr Laboucbore, said that inquiry into Mr Chamberlain s proposals would be conducted by Government, not by a Royal Commission, nor the House of Commons or departmental committee. It was not to bo cornered with any one department. Tko enquiry was not necessary to be reported upon, but Parliament aud the couutry at tho proper moment would bo taken into tbe confidence of the Government.