EMPIRE’S TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 932, 3 July 1903, Page 2

EMPIRE’S TRADE.

,THE INTEREST IN TIIE SUB-

JECT INCREASING,

SIR CHAS. DILKE’S THREATS

By, Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, July 1. The South Wales iron and steelworkers’ sliding scale committee adopted resolutions supporting the recommendations oi Mr Chamberlain, with reasonable alterations, placing the iron and steel industries on an equality with competitors abroad. Lord Carrington presided at an urgency meeting oi the National Liberal Club. A resolution was adopted, viewing Mr Chamberlain’s proposals with alarm. ‘ Lord Grey asserted that the prosent suspense was unfair to the country, and could not last. Sir Charles Dilke said the issue was so stupendous that it-tie Rait;... cals were unable to sweep the country on this question, he was filling to support a Government of Freetrade tone,'or a coalition Ministry. The country must tell Mr Chamberlain that it would not consent to a tax on food, and tell Mr Balfour that while the cry of retaliation might mislead the unwary, if they built up a wall of protection and introduced, under the shelter of that wall, protected industries which the country could never get rid of. Although 150 Unionist members of the House of Commons favor fiscal • enquiry, fifty per cent, oi the party, .', chiefly representing combined urban*/; and rural constituencies, decline at present to participate either in a contested movement or an election campaign during the recess: Received 11.39 p.m., July 2. : LONDON, July 2. » The Council of the Colonial Institute unanimously and heartifjfc con- I curred in Mr Balfour’s and Mr Uiamibcrlain’s suggestion that Imperial fiscal relations should be thoroughly, examined.

THE UNIONISTS.

By Tolegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12.53 n.m., July 3. London, July 2,

Mr Hobhouso, presiding at a meeting of j 54 Freetrado Unionist mombors of the House of Commons, explained that the aim was to assist tho Government end ensuro frank and fair enquiry. A committee was appointed to oxamino tho probable effect of tho suggosted change on the unity of tho Empiro and the social and industrial welfare of tho United Kingdom, and to explain to the country the objec- , f tions to a protective taxation on import. Sir Michael Hicks-Bouch Btuted £hat the

meeting wished to savo the party from a crushing defeat. The conference of Unionists for tho 241 h was evidently organised by A Protectionists. Mr Chamhorlain’s scheme, if adopted, would provoke a strong struggle ■; botween colonial and Home interests. He criticised proposals with a view to showing their impracticability in compensating consumers for the increased cost of food by readjusting tea, sugar, and -j tobacco. Mr Gocbcn doubtod whether Mr Chamberlain was able to Bwoep the country of so many Unionist members against him. He denounced Mr Chamberlain’s fiscal policy as most daogorous. Ho urged the necessity of restricting the in- v quiry to statistical information having the Government stamp. Private compilation was not sufficient authority. Liberal freetrade members of tbo House of Commoners have formed u cominjtt , 'oof colleagues associated with comuidnee to secure adequato ventilation of their views connected with the present controversy.