BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1022, 15 October 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN FAVOR OF CHAMBERLAIN’S BRITISH POLICY.

By [Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright.) LONDON, Oct. 13, A- catchy song entitled “ John Bull’s Stoic,” the words being by Fletcher Robinson, and the music by Robert Eden, in favor of Air Chamberlain's policy, has been welcomed with enthusiasm in London musichalls.

CHAMBERLAIN’S PROGRESS,

By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, Oct, 13,

Replying to congratulations for lvis appointment and a vote of confidence in the Government, Air Austen Chamberlain said that Air Balfour’s lead had re-united the party;. He accepted the Premier’s programme loyally, heartily, and if, like him, he saw that it did not cover the whole field of reform, inasmuch as greater and more important questions were rising on the horizon, he felt justified in co-operating in the work nearest at hand. Air Balfour’s proposals were necessary for the safety of the Empire, and the prosperity of trade, Earl Spencer had descended to vulgar abuse in assailing the late Colonial Secretary, who, with the courage of his convictions, had twice sacrificed a high office of influence in the Councils of the Empire to do battle for the faith that was in himself. Lord Spencer had found salvation in betraying the Irish loyalists after courting their support. , , Air Austen Chamberlain concluded by favoring a change in the fiscal system and reduction of the income tax. He did not think that foreigners would be in a hurry to quarrel with their best commercial friend, and the best market. He admitted there were difficulties in the way of the proposals, but statesmen were made to overcome and not to yield, in craven fear, to the first suggestion of difficulties. He contradicted Air Ritchie’s statement in regard to eight millions being derived from a war ’tax. It was incorrect to. say it was exclusively so derived. Sir -Michael ITicks-Bcach had repeatedly pointed out the necessity of new sources of revenue to meet permanent needs. Sir 11. Fowler, addressing the meeting, recalled the fact that the House of Commons, by 500 to 53, resolved half a century ago, that the improved condition of the country, (especially that of the workers, was due to unrestricted competition, the abolition of protection, and consequent diminution of the cost of food and its increased abundance. No Government ever challenged that until Mr Chamberlain proposed a reversal of free-trading. He did not shrink from enquiry. Like other political institutions, free-trade would stand or fall by experience. There was perfect unity between Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain. Both were generals of the same army, commanding different brigades. There was no distinction between Air Balfour’s retaliation and Air Chamberlain’s straightforward, clear policy of protection. (Cheers.) Sir 11. Fowler, continuing, said that taxation of the whole community for the benefit of one class was •a principle which freetraders were constantly opposed to. No tax should he levied for personal advantage, whether selected traders’ or individual interests. Sir H. Fowler said that hc’did not believe in Air Chamberlain’s assertion that it was not well with British trade to-day. He cited the increased trade in 1903 a Wages had steadily, advanced during the p'ast twenty years,- and £5 went further now than £7 did in 1883. Pauperism had vastly decreased, while the increase of savings bank deposits had been enormous, and the whole scale of living was higher.- He admitted that trade fluctuated, hut they were dealing with the nation as a whole. It was a serions thing for Air 'Chamberlain to tell the House of Commons that maintenance of the unity of the Empire would ho endangered unless Great Britain accepted his terms and became protectionist. The Statement, if true, ought to have emanated with the responsibility, of a united Cabinet. Sir H. Fowler,- continuing, said that if ever there was a day for stress and storm and the Motherland put her back to the wall, the colonies would come to her help. They wanted no bribe to he loyal. (They were as able as they were willing to manage their own fiscal affairs. (Loud cheers.) ,Tho present movement had no mandate from the country. He challenged the Government to consult the constituencies. The Liberals were not going to change to a new lamp, for the cld lamp was shining brightly, carrying peace, comfort, and prosperity, to numberless homes.

It is understood at Ealing that Lord George Hamilton will not seek re-el ection.,

The Daily express states that Mr Chamberlain’s proposal included a duty on live cattle. Lord Stanley, speaking at West Houghton, said he heartily concurred in Mr Balfour’s Sheffield speech. He considered the advantages - of Mr Chamberlain’s preferential policy would not equal the disadvantages ; therefore he was forced at present to Oppose the proposals, Samuel Storey, formerly member for Sunderland, who recently seceded from the freetrade party, and who has great influence in the northern districts, explained to his constituents that two'specific evils unforeseen by Cobden had developed into rational evils. The first Was the widespread transformation of arable land to pasturage, and the second tho cirQum l scri(ption , of our market and manufactures by tariffs and synchronous with the free admission of bounty-red products from abroad, displacing Home products from abroad and displacing Home products of labor. The expansion of our manufactures was essential, yet they were not increasing in proportion to population, The colonies offer mutual trade concessions—a great fact suggesting a great Imperial opportunity.

SPEECH BY: LORD ROSEBERY.

, By, .Telegraph—Press Association—- , Copyright.) • Received 0.7 a.m., Oct. 15. LONDON, Oct, 14. Lord Rosebery addressed an enthu- , siastic Liberal League meeting at ’ 'Sheffield. He said Government had enquired into the condition of the constituencies, not of commerce. Parliament was gagged. The real head of the Government was actually; Mr Chamberlain, and his son, who shares his views, was entrusted with a strong box. Mr Balfour took refuge in the halfway-house of retaliation—a sort of ark awaiting the return of a missionary with an olive branch in his mouth. The retaliation cry was needless. Government might 'ask Parliament to impose higher duties, or if they had the courage of their opinions, retort' to Granville's Drders-in-Council against the Berlin decree, adopted in 1807. Mr Chamberlain’s proposals were glittering soap-bubbles, hypothesis, and assertion. There was insufficient ground for a reversal of the system. If they adop'Cd the policy, it would provoke complications with foreign countries,, and involve a battle of the ciailised world compared to 'Which Armageddon would be a jest. He ought to have carefully consulted the colonies with a view to adopting a definite plan. He next quoted statistics of free trade success, Imperial defence, diplomatic, consular Services, and money market—these were a credit to the colonies, a credit to the Empire, and powerful bodies, .whereas Mr Chamberlain’s scheme would dislocate, probably, :

dissolve, the Empire. Lord Rosebery continued : “ Where were the colonies’ oilers of preference ? Canada’s staple was lumber, not wheat; yet Air Chamberlain’s scheme would not benefit lumber, and 'Australia Was-offered a slight pro, ference in wine,-nothing on wool. He ridiculed the idea of the ooAonics consenting to restrict certain ihdustries. If they fettered themselves, they would be false to their own race and children, who would thereafter rise up, curse, and disown them. As far as his strength went, he tvould not allow to be dispelled his ideal of the Empire’s future—a strong mother of strong children, each working out, its political and fiscal salvation on its own lines, With perfect, freedom.

AIR ASQUITH’S OPINION

Received 12.38 a.m., Oct. 15, LONDON, October 14,

Air Asquith, speaking at Newport, said that the dire injury from hostile tariffs was nothing compared to 'the slackness in regard to and want ol education and want of enterprise, in Britain. The greatest calamity that was possible to boiall the Empire was that it should he seli-eon-tained. They must remember , that the Empire itself was only a constituent part of the great commonwealth of nations.

Received 10.14 p.m., Oct. 14. , Ottawa, Oct. 14,

Air J. J. Tarto, ex-Alinister of Works, iu a speech at Quebeo, declared himself a strong supporter of Air Chamberlain.

London, Oct. 14,

The Earl of Dunraven, in a published letter, warmly supports Messrs Balfour and Chamberlain. The Marquis of Londonderry succeeds the Duke of Devonshire as Lord President of the Council, but will continue as Minister of Education. Mr Chamberlain is confined to his bed with gout. Air Lyttelton, in an address to his constituents, doelared himself in entire agreement with Alessrs Balfour and Chamberlain. He said that preference involved a readjustment of taxes on food peculiarly affecting workers, hence there was no proposal to imposo preferential tariffs without further reference to the people.