BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1069, 10 December 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE FISCAL CONTROVERSY;,

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, Dec- 8-

Lord Marsbam, in a letter to the Times, says the Yorkshire wool trado has suffered rnoro from hostile tariffs and free imports than any of the groat English in* dustries. Britain exported in 1890 11 millions worth more of woollen textiles than was imported now. Britain was sending nine millions worth to foroign countries, bix millions to the colonies and British possessions, but foreigners send England ten millions worth. Since 1890 England had lost tho foreign wool trade at the rate of noarly a million a year, yet no one was aware of the faot. Lord Masham declared unhesitatingly that unless England secures colonial trade the wool industry is faood with ruin, and the same with general trades. Our lobb of foreign trade was imperceptibly compensated by ever-increasing shipments to the colonies and British pnssessious, causing schoolboy chatterers to deolare that freetrude was causing prosperity. During the last 15 years British trade with the colonies and British possessions increased at the rate of two millions a year, otherwise the country would have been in distress.

Lord Londonderry, addressing- the Northern Union of Conservatives it South Shields, said Home Rule was a question of fact and tho fiscal problem a question of opinion. It could not bo mado a test of party loyalty. They must look at all Bides of Mr Chamberlain’s proposals bo- . fore relinquishing tbe present polioy. Mr Balfour’s policy for tho moment was tho sole solution.

Mr BoDar Low, addressing a mass meeting at South Shields, quoted the increases in Britain's, America’s, and Germany’s exports botween 1880 and 1890. Ours increased only 1J per cent., while the inorease of population was 15 per cent. Fiscal reformjwas indispensable in the interests of tbo workers and tbe nation.

Lord Crowe, speaking at Newcastle, said Mr Chamberlain's proposals would cootraot tbo volumo of trade ; hence if there were fowor imports and fewer exports to pay, therefore there would be less employment. "1 Mr Kemp, M.P., managing director of the firm of Kelßall and Kemp, a strong freetrader, ill the course of a speech at Helwood, said the Canadian tariff.had absolutely killed his firm’s trade in flannel. They were unable to sell a yard in ' Canada, doßpite tbo preferential tariff. He did not intend to support the Duke of Devonshire.

Ottawa, Deo. 8. Mr Larko, Canadian Commissioner in Australia, iu a report forwarded to Ottawa, states that the Commonwealth is willing to graut preference to Cauada. Receivod 10.29 p.m„ Deo. 9. London, Deo. 9.

Mr Akers Douglas, speaking at Shoreditch, said that during the decade British imports increased 657 millions or 16£ per cent. Exports increased 113 millions or 4 4-5 per cent. Imports of manufactured and partly manufactured goods increased 37 9-10 per cent. Exports of manufactures increased under i-per cent. Tumblers costing eighteen pence to produce in America were selling in England at\j shilling, beating British manufactures in both markets, though British tumblers cost only fourteen pence. Dumping was seriously affecting the furniture and cabinet making trade, foreign sweated labor underselling British workers. Tho dumping of undesirable aliens was a growing evil which foreshadowed stringent legislative measures to deal therewith.

Professor Bryce, speaking at Abordeen, deolared that in order to be fair to the colonies protection must includo both raw materials and food. A 10 per cent duty on manufactures would soon rise to 80 per cent. A protective policy was virtually irreversible, owing to vested interests which would oroate constant uncertainty in business. Under protection the Legislature would become tho scene of endless jobs, one trade joining another in log-roll-ing.