BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1073, 15 December 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

TIIE FISCAL CONTROVERSY.

By Telegraph—Tress Association—Copyright

Ottawa, Dec. 13. Sir R. J. Cartwright, Canadian Minister of Finance and Trade, speaking at Toronto, said ; “If Mr Chamberlain says ho can tax foods from all countries without increasing tho price to the consumer it would be wrong not to do so. Britain can force reciprocity on the United Stateß or stimulate immigration, and the food production of countries outsido tho United States, or pavo the way to a trade alliance of Eng-lish-speaking people.” He believed tho United States were willing to outer into reciprocal trade relations, giving the AngloSaxon race control Of throo and a half continents. If England taxed food imports tho tax would hit tho American farmer so hard, affecting his position by 30 per cent, that ho would renounce protection, and the result would bo an allianco to tho advantage of Great Britain, Amorica, and Canada.

London, Doe. 13. Mr James Ribon, apropos of tho alleged declino in tho iron trade, declares that within 40 years his firm’s wages increased from 28a 3d por week of 60 hours to 37s 9d of 53 hours. Our pig iron production for the first half of tho present year was nearly a record, while tho United States’ production was decreasing. « Received 10.12 p.m., Dec. 14. Sydnoy, Dec. 14. Tho Attornoy-Goneral, Mr Wiso, has received a letter from Mr Chamberlain, wherein he says : “ The chango to preferential trade will bo carried, if at all, by a mixed consideration of sentiment and interest. As to tho former, I hope it is strong with you, and that there is some appreciation of what tho Empiro really moans, as contrasted with tho parochial life and the small ambitions of little States. If tho Empiro breaks up into atoms oach will be comparatively insignificant, powerless, and uninteresting ; if it holds together it will be the most powerful civilising influence in the world.”