BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1058, 27 November 1903, Page 4

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE FISCAL CONTROVERSY.,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Nov. 25. The Luke of Devonshire continued: The brake on the Imperial locomotive was more than ever necessary now that the engine driver had alighted and allowed another to tako his place. J?nat other was running lull speed against all signals. (Cheers.) “ I will not,” said the Duke, “ participate in a policy founded on inversions ol fact. Mr Chamberlain has calculated to a farthing the of his proposals on workers’ food, but ignored tho enhanced cost-of other indispensable articles. I assert what I believe to be a moderate estimate that the proposals will entail a loss to the consumer of 35 and possibly 50 millions, and in return the revenue might gain a gradually diminishing eight millions, with a subsidy of two and a-half millions to the colonies, while India will receive nothing. I find no trace definite offer on the part ot tho colonies. Lord Goscheu moved, and Lord George Hamilton seconded : " That this meeting expresses its readiness to consider any of the Government proposals to mitigate the effect of hostile tariffs, but offers strenuous opposition to any policy involving the taxation of food and the establishment of a general preferential or protective system. Lord Gosehen said they resisted Mr Gladstone in his political revolution, and so they would, ho hoped, successfully resist another great statesman, equally impetuous, who wanted to rush the country into a fiscal revolution. The motion was carried with practical unanimity. Mr J. L. Wanklyn, M.P., asserts that one of tho oldest Bradford firms intends ‘transferring half its business to tho United States, thus turning 1000 hands out of employment. Mr Asquith, speaking at Barnstaple, declared that tho tin plate trade was a perfect indication. Freetraders challenged the production of evidence to show that any British industry of any magnitude had been ruined by dumping. The Liberals yielded to none.in patriotism, but declined to bo duped by phrases and fallacies into undermining tho foundations of wealth and strength.