BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1016, 8 October 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

STIRRING TIMES IN ENGLAND

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press •Association—Copyright. LONDON, Oct, 7. Mr Chamberlain thinks the most favored nation clause a doubtful benefit.

Mr Chamberlain's journey to Glasgow was a series of ovations. lie .was greeted with tremendous cheering at various points. He declined frequent invitations to deliver speeches, merely saying that the party had a lot of difficulties lo race, but would pull through all right,

Mr S. Candlish, treasurer of the Northern Liberal Association, has resigned, owing to disagreeing with the Liberal fiscal views.;

11 is Majesty the King holds a Council on Friday for the purpose of the swearing-in of the new Ministers. Messrs Stirling, Maxwell, and Renesha, members of the House of Commons, have declared against .Mr Chamberlain’s policy. Mr Chamberlain and his wife had a tremendous send-off from Birmingham.

Accommodation has been provided for upwards of one hundred newspaper reporters at the Glasgow meeting. 'There were sixty thousand applicants’ tickets for the gathering. The finding of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Committee is, on the whole, favorable to Mr Chamberlain’s proposals, a majority of the members replying that they approve of trade with the Empire confined to the Empire’s ships, hut open to vessels of nations agreeing to reciprocal relations. The Standard says that the Duke of Devonshire’s resignation is a severe blow to the Government, already shaken, to its foundations. The reconstruction is inadequate, and causes one to wonder if Mr Balfour will meet Parliament. Mr Lyttelton’s appointment causes blank amazement. From Mr Chamberlain to Mr Lyttelton is a stroke of fantastic irony. The Times says that the Duke of Devonshire’s retirement will exercise no little influence on the approaching struggle. . The Daily Express says that Mr Lyttelton is an ideal choice. The Duke of Devonshire’s action was

most extraordinary. The Daily Mail says that Mr Balfour presides over a Cabinet of stopgaps. His letter is most spiteful and petulant. The Chronicle and Daily News say that the Ministry is doomed. The Daily Telegraph says that the ‘ appointments will immeasurably strengthen Mr Balfour’s hold of the country. It heartily, welcomes Mr Lyttelton. T’he Morning Post says that Mr Balfour is wise to rely, on yonng

colleagues.Sir 11. Campbell Banncrman congratulated the Cobden Club on having secured indications that the best workmen unanimously condemned the rash and fantastic scheme of fiscal reform.

A GREAT MEETING.; MR CHAMBERLAIN’S SPEECH SPLENDID DEFENCE OF, HIS POLICY.

|* By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Received 12.16 a.m., Oct. 8. ft , London, Oct. 7. >r Five thousand crammed St. Andrew’s Hall. Over 70,000 applied for tickets, inn eluding many noblemen, commoners, and n the great representatives of the Scotch w commercial community. r r Mrs Chamberlain and many ladies were | 0 present. Sir Matthew Arthur, Chairman of the q West of Scotland Liberal Unionist Assolt ciation, presided. Q Mr Chamberlain received a tremendous 0 ovation. He said: “ I am delighted to a open the campaign in tho city where freeI trade was born and where Adam Smith taught, evincing a broader mind and wider g Imperial conception than some modern professors. lam not afraid to oombat free a imports and preach preference to the I- colonies in Glasgow, for its prosperity was y founded upon its colonial relations, and n Scotchmen were great Empire builders, e Remember that it requires genius, cat pacity, and courage, to maintain d as well as to create an Empire. Though 0 I am no longer a party leader, I 6 am a loyal servant of the party, believing )1 that itß existence is essential to the wele fare of the Empire. Mr Balfour was enu titled to declare an official policy and fix the time when the principles would be ap’a plied. I approve this policy and admire n his courago and resourco. The mean and a libellous insinsuations applied to myself )) do not affect in the sligbest degree our y friendship and mutual confidence. Under n no circumstances can Ibe put in competil(j tion direct or indirect with him. Ido not ;e expect to sottle the question offhand. I , s am aware that the country needs ;t education like I did myself. I „ ask my countrymen impartially to [ s consider the greatest of all great ques- „ tions. Possibly then they will go a little beyond the official programme as is often done without harm. Discussion may ’> reveal differences of opinion, but they are ’ mainly differences of methods. My object ’■ is to maintain and increase national c * strength and prosperity in the United s Kingdom, and realise tho ideal of the ~ creation of an Empire such as the world , has never seen. s “We must cement the union of States, and consolidate the race, enabling it to " meet all classes of competition. e “We want to be no isolated country, but one fortified, strengthened, and buttressed by the continuous chain of States of kinsmen speaking a common tongue, paying allegiance to a common flag, j “ The question ought to be considered on its merits without personal feeling or bitterness. It would be useless to force a great change by a small majority, or a large unwilling minority. I believe it will become the national policy, consonant . with tho feelings, aspirations, and interests

of an overwhelming proportion. The country is considering the question. “ Why not leave well alone ? I do not anticipate a sudden fall of British commercial supremacy; yet I see signs of decay, cracks, crevices in the wall of the great structure. The foundations are not broad or deep enough to sustain it. “ Knowing and believing that, am I wrong to warn the nation to prepare in time for a struggle greater in its consequence than the late Boer war? If we are defeated we lose our place amoDg nations. “ At present we are asked to engage in a struggle with antiquated weapons and old-fashioned tactics. “ It is not well to-day’ with British industry. With the whole world we have been going through a period of prosperous expansion. I see signs of a change, When it comes, even free food advocates will be convinced. The year 1900 was a record one for British exports ; 1902 was nearly as good. Since 1872 there has been a moderate increase of 20 millions of exports, equal to H per cent. Meanwhile the population has in-

creased 30 per cent. Can you go on supporting a population at such a rate of increase ? In that same period the increase in the United States would be 100 millions, and Germany 56 millions. The trade of the United States was practically stagnant for thirty years, while protected countries, instead of going to wreck and ruin, had progressed in6nitely better in proportion. In thirty years-foreign exports and manufactures to the United Kingdom have increased from 63 millions to 149 millions. Surely that justifies a revision of the opinion our ancestors held. Imperial trade is absolutely essential to our prosperity if it is to increase j otherwise we must sink to the position of a fifth nation, “ Some opponents regard our hav-' ing reached the highest point ‘ with absolute complacency. I do hob believe in setting up a British star, ■because I believe the working classes must wake up, and modify the policy to meet new conditions. America has produced everything and excluded everything, No trade can he done there. “ Canada has developed her pri- 1 marx industries, hut her secondary

industries are increased, leaving an immense amount of trade open. Australia’s industrial position is less advanced, while South Africa’s has not commenced.)

“ Ten years ago, the Motherland might have approached the colonies with greater effect than now. Twenty vears hence it will be too late.“The Motherland might now say, ‘Do not increase the tariff against us—decrease where duties are unnecessary. The success of your indus- ■ trial policy is to let the Motherland supply many things you do not make.’ We might offer the colony preferences, relying on the patriotism and affection of our kinsmen that the Motherland will not be a loser. , , “ If the opportunity is not taken now, it will never recur. This is the paving of the way. If not taken, Canada will still fall away. The united States of Australia and South Africa will follow. “ I am convinced that in return for very moderate preference ihe bolcnies wll give us a substantial advantage.