BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1002, 22 September 1903, Page 1

BRITISH POLITICS.

TOE BREAK IN THE CABINET

By Telegraph—Press Association — Copyright,

London, Sept. 20. Mr Chamberlain, writing to Mr 0. A. Pearson, chairman of the Tariff Reform League, agrees that sufficient facts and figures have been adduced to enable the formulation of conclusions in favor of a closer union with the colonies by moans of preference. Jie would endeavor to make tho Empire self-sufficing as regards its food supply, also the utilisation of tariffs as a weapon to secure greater reciprocity with foreigners or retaliation to prevent loss of Home and Imperial markets. Tho Birmingham Tariff Reform League printed 20 million pamphlets, and circulated 16 million. It employs 50 hands daily packing. Arrangomente have been made for two hundred speakers to advocate preference.

There has been an enormous sale of the fiscal Blue Book.

Mr Balfour and Lord Lansdowne are at Balmoral. It is understood that tho King has approved of Mr Balfour’s suggested further changes, though an announcement is improbable for a day or two. Sir R. B. Finlay shortly succeeds Lord Halsbury, who retires on the ground of age.

Ottawa, Sept. 20. The Canadian Manufacturers’ Association have resolved to urge the Dominion Government to increase the percentage of preference to British Labor by 5 to 50 per cent, on the value of imports, also to appoint Customs agents in London to study the best means of preventing foreigners taking advantage of preference by shipping goods to Canada via Great Britain.