BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1059, 28 November 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE FISCAL CONTROVERSY*

By Telegraph —Press Association—Copyrigh

Received 10.24 p.in., Nov. 27. London, Nov. 27. Lord Rothschild, speaking at Chesham, declared that he always considered it unstasesmaulike, impolitic, and unjust to tax the necessaries of life, but supported retaliation. He. did not believe in depart-

ing from the principle of frectrade, wherein ho was reared and whereto he still adhered.

At a private meeting of tho Conservative Association at Greenwich a large mujority adopted a resolution in favor of Mr Chamberlain's proposals. Lord Hugh Cecil was the chief minority speaker.

SPEECH BY MR RITCHIE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 11.49 p.ru., Nov. 27. London, Nov. 27. Mr Ritchie, speaking at Croydeu, said hs did not anticipate much remission in the next budget, bus the indirect taxpayer was entitled to first consideration. It was quite right to try to lower barriers preventing a large export trade, but if they do a larg-s export trade they must do a large import trade. Some obstacles were of our own creation. Buchenong’s recent report emphasised the lowness of American freights to South Africa compared with ours. IVhat was warned was improved mothods of putting goods before foreign customers and improved consular service. Government ought to provide agents for commerce with fine buildings and staffs as on the Continent.

NEW ZEALAND SCORES ONE.

By Telegraph— PreßS Association—Copyright Received 12.56 a.m., Nov. 28 London, Nov. 27. Mr Asquith had an enthusiastic meeting at Penzance. He said the colonies enjoyed fiscal freedom, and protected their own industries against the Motherland and foreigners. The Motherland gave the Colonies free access to the largest and best market. The Colonies had no ground for complaint. Thore was no sign that tho Empire was on the point of dissolution. A rational, well-organised system of education would do more for Britain than tariffs. Mr Chamberiaiu’s policy would not benefit Cornish tin as the Straits Settlements were within the Empire, Mr Austen Chamberlain addressed a mass meeting at Cambridge. He said the principle that they must not retaliate lest they damaged their knuckles did not obtained at Cambridge in his undergraduate days. JGovornment aimed at negotiating freely, backing words if necessary with deeds. He said he had hoard that a large order had been placed in Germany, but owing to New Zealand’s preferential action the order had been cancelled and placed with England. The mooting resolvod almost unanimously to endorse Mr Balfour’s policy.