BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1019, 12 October 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

By. Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, Oct. 9. Mr Chamberlain, in a speech at Cupar, hopefully anticipated that the workers would help to achieve the great closing object of his political life. We must look to, the colonies to share the burdens as hitherto they have shared the privileges* of the Empire. We must treat them as relatives whose ideas must be considered. The moment a man reached Australia or Canada,, lie exchanged his Cobden views for patriotic, or what their opponents called protectionist, views. Referring further to the colonies, tlicir strong sentiment of union must be reciprocated. If we recognised their ideas we must give up some of our prejudices, and even make some sacrifices for Empire, 41 That we all share in them,” he continued, “ 1 am confident. A great sentiment will transmit itself with something stronger of heart and become a union in fact, and we shall have an Empire federated, strengthened, united (if needed) against, tho world.”

Mr in larewelling his colleagues, thanked them lor their zealous assistance. He believes the Colonial Office’s service to the Empire is more generally; appreciated than formerly.

King Edward, at a Council held at Buckingham Palace, received, and transferred the seals of office in connection with the reconstruction of tho Cabinet,

Mr Asquith, in a speech at Cinderford, Glouscester, said retaliation was futile, and injured mostly ilic party who used it. They must fight tariff with free imports. Pro reef ion was not more advanced than In 1»46, It Was impossible to retaliate against Russia and the United States without injuring ourselves. Ho ridiculed Mr Chamberlain’s hysterical dumpphobia, Britain’s great asset of Empire ought not to be treated as an appendage of the colonies. The assertion that trade was stagnant was based on fallacies. Mr Chamberlain entirely ignored the Home trade, and the carrying trade had been selected in an abnormal yeav lor comparison. The statement that the Empire would break up without preferential trade was a pure assumption, a calumny upon the colonies, and a slur upon the Empire. Protection was an inclined plane, there being no halting untiltbe bottom was reached. Unless ' preference was given to'raw materials, wool, and food, it would be impossible to establish a logical scheme. The attempt would be sure to cause rivalry and discord.

Mr Bryce, speaking at Lancaster, said Mr Chamberlain’s case rested upon a tissue of blunders, and the edifice was utterly rotten and worthless.

Mr Gerald Balfour, in 'a speech at Leeds, 'said Great Britain wanted freer trade, not unalloyed protection

The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants at Paersburg resolved that Mr Chamberlain’s proposals would add to the workers’ burdens and prove ineffectual to promote Imperial unity. Tbe Congress viewed with some concern any increased imposts on manufactures, but before any scheme of retaliation was adopted there ought to be a thorough inquiry, and the industrial and commercial classes consulted.

Mr Benjamin Kidd, the sociologist, publishes a powerful letter In tho Times, exposing what he calls freetrade facalities, and answering the critics of Mr Chamberlain’s schehie. The German press exhibits the greatest reserve regarding Mr Chamberlain’s speech. Business men admit that a ten per cent, retaliatory duty would severely hit German-in-dustries, especially if combined- with preference to the colonies. The Miners’ Federation of /Great Britain, sitting at Glasgow, hy 79 to 5, condemned Mr Chamberlain's policy.

“ CHAMBERLAIN FOR EVER.”-

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. Received 9.12 a.m., Get. 11.- , LONDON, Oct. 10. Sir A. Ho Hime, ex-Premier of Natal, has cabled as follows :

•“ Glasgow speech grand—Chamberlain for ever.”

The Paris newspaper Gaulois 'described Mr Balfour as a prudent and far-seeing statesman who is opposed by out-and-out Protectionists as well as by uncompromising Freetraders. The newspaper Patrie declares that Mr Chamberlain is an enemy, of France ; that he failed to make war wit-h cannon over the Fashoda incident, and now wishes to make war against her with a preferential tariff. Mr Chamberlain’s scheme is regarded with eoofness and suspicion on the Continent. One hundred thousand codes ot Mr Balfour’s p'amphlet einfcouying his Sheffield speech have been sold. Free food Unionists have decided to conduct an active 'autumn campaign.

OPINIONS ABROAD,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright" Received 12.26 a.m., Oct. 12 New York, Oct. 11. The New York Morning Journal expresses the belief that the colonies do not desire an Imperial customs union. It declares that protection has more than doubled the cost of livmg in tbe United States. Tbe protectionist New York press praises Mr Chamberlain from a British stand-" point, but is alarmed on behalf of the. United StatesVienna, Oct.ll. . The Neue Freie Presse says that protection engenders higher protection, and sug-_ gests Europe and America replying by continuous retaliation. Buda Pestb, Oct-11. The paper Pester Lloyd says that the British voter must decide whether workmen will buy tea, coffee, and cocoa cheaper than bread and meat.

A Westport farm has secured a contract for the conveyance of coal for the Antarctic relief ships, delivered at Hobart. Tbe barque Anyx will take a cargo this month.