BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1045, 12 November 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

MORE SPEECHES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Nov. 10. Mr Chamberlain, replying to Sir M. M. Bhownaggie, member for Bothnal Greon, said India could not bo forced to join the preferential movomont, except the Indian authorities gave a general consent. He believed she would be tho gainer thereby, as sho would gain preference on tea, indigo, wheat and othor products. India’s wishes on the subject ought to bo ascertained. Sir Charles Dilko, addressing the National Liboral Club, asked : Will tho Government and those following Mr Chamberlain drink Capo brandy, relinquish French champagno, and drink 'Forest Dean sherry ? Ho added that the Labor leaders and trade unionists opposed taxation of food, and firmly bolievod that reciprocity was likely to do thorn moro harm than good. Lord Balfour of Burleigh, speaking at Glasgow, said the course of trade had been upward for tho whole of the last thirty years. The powor of troaty-making was inherent in the Crown, subject to Minister’s advice. He was suspicious that something beyond freedom of negotiations was being sought.

OPPOSITION MEETING AT BIRMINGHAM. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12.35 a.m., Nov. 12. London, Nov. 11. Tho Duko of Devonshire, in a letter to the chairman of tho free trade mooting at Birmingham Town Hall to-night, at whieh Lord Hugh Cecil and Winston Churchill deliver addresses, expresses a hope that they be given a fair hearing. He emphasises tho fact that some Unionists advocate a policy going beyond Mr Balfour’s.

The President of the Birmingham Conservative Association writes that • the meeting will be mainly of Radicals and local Unionists. The Association urges its supporters to give a fair hearing, but a number of sandwich men paraded with a notice askiqg, “ Shall Radicals be allowed to oppose our Joe ?” and inviting workors to assemble by the thousand outside the Town Hall.