EMPIRE'S TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 951, 25 July 1903, Page 2

EMPIRE'S TRADE.

SIR HORACE TOZER’S OPINION, MR CHAMBERLAIN’S FISCAL SPEECH. By Telegraph—Press Association-' Copyright. LONDON, July 23. Sir Horace Tozer, the Queensland Agent-General, interviewed by the Daily Graphic, said Australia would prefer to defer consideration of Mr Chamberlain's proposals. No present practical outcome was possible, and they might hinder the closer . bond which time alone would bring Wool and meat needed no preferential treatment. Mr Chamberlain, in accepting Sir J. C. Dunsdale’s suggestion to deliver a fiscal speech in London, saitj^: “ I gladly agree to do so in January, after the provincial campaign ia y ended. I will summarise in the metropolis, the centre of the world’s commerce, the conclusions I have arrived at, and submit them for the consideration of my countrymen,” - MR CHAMtRUUN’sIsCHIMH- .

VOICING OPINION OF COLONIES.

By Telegraph— Preßa Association—Copyright Received 11.22 p.m., July 24. London, July 24.

Mr Balfour, speaking at the Primrose League Banquet, held at the Hotel Cecil) said that since, Mr Chamberlain had the best opportunity of knowing what the colonies wore thinking, it was unreasonable to subject him to recrimination fpr giving a powerful and eloquent expression to their opinions. The Government approached the fiscal inquiry with an open mind, and it would be folly to ask them to formulate a great scheme at a moments notice. The Government adhered to the pledge that the country would not be asked to make a change until after the general election. MR CHAMBERLAIN 1 PLACES COLONIES FOREMOST.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12.1 a.m., July 25. London, July 24.

In the House of Commons Sir Chas. Dilke, Sir Edward Grey, and Mr Gibson Bowles criticised the foreign policy, specially in regard to Germany. - Lord Cranborne said that Great Britain recognised Japan’s special interest in Corea, and that Russia occupied rather a special position in Manchuria. Great Britain’s attitude in regard to the AngloGerman commercial treaty would be perfectly conciliatory. Mr Asquith said the case for retaliation against Germany was flimsy. Sir Q. C. Bannerman declared that it would probably recoil on the retaliators. Mr Chamberlain said he was anxious to be on good terms with everybody, but he put relations with the colonies before those of anybody else. It had been made clear to Germany that Great Britain would not allow the coercion of the colonies. This resolve, which a vast mass of the countfy supported, exasperated German newspapers, but induced the Government to exhibit a willingness to negotiate’. The results would probably be much more satisfactory than when weaponless. Mr Balfour challenged the Opposition to say whether when a colony was discriminated against for giving the Motherland preference, the latter’s attitude ought to be absolutely passive. That was not the Government view.

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12.20 a.m., July 25. London, July 24. In the House of Lords the Duke of Devonshire, in replying to Lord Lytton, admitted that the comments on the tariff in the Birmingham publications were issued with Mr Chamberlain’s general consent and approval. Lord James of Hereford declared that if was unprecedented for a member of the Government to separate himself from the Cabinet. Ho announced a big fight without the co-operation and perhaps without the sanction of his colleagues. The results were likely to be disastrous to the nation, since we were teaching every colony, irritating every foregn nation, and disturbing every home interest. Lords Spencer, Cross, and Northbrook concurred. The Duke of Devonshire said he considered Mr Chamberlain’s position clear. He made his inquiry respecting 50 years’ f free imports, and formed conclusions. He announced his intention of obtaining the constituencies’ authority to make preferential overtures to' the colonies. The Government’s position was equally clear. No member said a single word identifying himself with the policy, but considered it a case for inquiry. Until the inquiry was completed the Government’s fiscal policy remained the policy now existing. He had a better opinion of free trade than to feel the extreme nervous anxiety so many exhibited lest the system should collapse before the blast of a powerful Minister. Lord Rosebery said the Government’s position was unconstitutional. Ho doubted whether any inquiry in an ord;< nary sense was proceeding.