ANOTHER IMPORTANT SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1035, 30 October 1903, Page 2

ANOTHER IMPORTANT SPEECH.

By Telegraph—Proas Association—Copyright Deceived Oct. 29, 11.26 p.tn, London, Oct. 29., Mr Chamberlain was entertained at iuncheon at the Town Hall, Liverpool. Two hundred and fifty representative guests were present. Replying to tho toast of his health, Mr Chamberlain said that the fiscal issue was no party question. It touched every single member of tho community, and could not be regarded as a matter between the outs and tho ins. Ho added : While some of my best friends differ from me on the question, some of the most distinguished of my opponents and an enormous multitude of those voting against me in ordinary politics, arewilling in this matter to give me favorable consideration. Replying to Lord Goschen’s arguments, he quoted the French, German, and Swedish corn duties and prices compared with Britain’s prices, with the view of confirming such authorities as John Stuart Mill, Professors Setton, Ashworth, and Nicholson that the foreign exporter pays part of any importing country’s duties. Gladstone in his 1861 Budget speech showed that he did not share the view that a tax was wise if it benefited the Exchequer alone. Mr Chamberlain then incidentally urged that the Franco-British treaty was reciprocal and preferential. “We reduced the duth on French wines, but for that we asked the benefit of countries to whom we extended the favored nation clause. Germany gave Eussia preference in the matter of petroleum. The advantage of Germany’s extension was similar to the preference to England in the matter of petroleum. It was not much felt, “ I raised the present controversy,” said Mr Chamberlain, “to ameliorate the workers’ conditions and unite and strengthen the Empire. Except for ono of these objects, my sense of responsibility towards the colonies, I would not have taken off my coat for a contest of this magnitude. The policy of freetrade and Imperial Britain is venerable, old with honors; yes, old, but the Empire is new. Therein we find a Bhare with kinsmen and children of a joint future greater than any thing whereto we look back.”