BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1025, 19 October 1903, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

SIR GORDON SPRIGG’S OPINION

By, Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright.

CAPETOWN, October 16. Sir Gordon, Sprigg, the Premier, '.speaking at East London, favored Mr Chamberlain’s proposals, as unifying the Empire. , , „ LONDON, Oct. lb. Mr Winston Churchill’s letter stated that his father in 1860 relinquished ideas of preference. f The London Globe, ‘in reply, publishes an interview with Sir Randolph Churchill in 1892, and a letter approving of, the report of the interview, which, however, in deference to his wishes, was not published. ' The interview declared that it was urgent the nation should consider commercial union with the colonies by a system of differential duties. The Hon. Lyttelton, in a speech, said that he hoped to keep his predecessor’s great example constantly before him, and to maintain the traditions of his Colonial policy. Mr Herbert Gladstone says that Mr Chamberlain’s eye is on the Irish vote, hence the exemption of maize. The • West India Committee has unanimously approved of Mr Cbamber'lain’s policy. Mr,. Asquith* speaking at Frcnchie, Fifeshire, said that he considered it would be one of the greatest calamities if Great Britain became a self-sustaining Empire, since it would mean being surrounded by a great Chinese wall, excluding the rest of the world. _____ GERMANY’S SELFISHNESS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12,24 a.m , Oot. 19. Berlin, Oet. 18.

The Kreuz Zeitung urges that South Africa be treated like Canada if it grants preference in a manner prejudicial to Gsr* man exporters. It considers it inexpedient for Germany to enforce a high autonomous tariff against South African wool, which represents nearly the whole of Germany’s South African imports. Conservatives in the Reichstag will probably propose that the provisional concesaion of favored treatment of Great Britain will end when the new Gorman tariff comes into operation.

Recoived 12.56 a.m., Oct. 19,

London, Oct. 18.

The Times says that the Duke of Devonshire’s position is intermediate between that of Mr Balfour and the free importers. It is a pity he is unable to go a little further in tho application of a principle he accepts for the removal of difficulties he so clearly, rocognised.