BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1082, 28 December 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE FISCAL CONTROVERSY. By Telegraph~Press Association— Copyright. London, Dee. 24. In Manchester, the merchants, manufacturers, and shippers at a representative, meeting formed a non-party association in defence of the kingdom’s freetrado policy. The meeting also agreed to take steps to promote the education of the country on trade questions, and passed a resolution urging the electors to vote only for freetrade candidates.

The result of the Ludlow election was Mr Rowland Hunt (Chamberlain Union ist), 4393 ; Mr Horne, 3423. Received 12.18 a.m., Dec. 28. Berlin, Dec. 27.

Dr Borgius, director of the German Merchants’ Association for Commercial Treaties, declares that the Chambers of Commerce are convinced that Mr Chamberlain's policy will give tho British Empire a now impetus, and possibly carry it to the height of political and industrial power. He adfis : It is essential for the central European nations to form a commercial union to cope with British preponderance. Plenty of money is available for this object, and tho agitation for the for mat-ion of a union has already been initiated.

London, Dec. 27. Tbe Daily Chronicle, commenting upon an interview by Reuter’s Melbourne correspondent with Mr Deakin, published in the London press, admitß that Mr Deakin’s assertion is correct, that tho federal elections are not a rebuff to Mr Chamberlain’s policy. It adds : They have not knocked the bottom out of Mr Chamberlain’s ease in the way tha f Mr Reid’s victory would have done. Mr Deakin’s admissions show that Mr Chamberlain is unable any longer to represent bis policy as one of freetrade within the Empire. Whatever enthusiasm the policy ever evoked in Australia was because it is in accordance with the ideals of protectionists. The Scotsman says that Mr Deakin’s declaration that the Federal Ministry contemplate making a return for any preference granted by the Motherland ought to dissipate Radical fictions respecting the onesidedueßs of tho bargain MrChauiherlain is trying to lure the country to accept. Tbe St. James Gazette declares that Mr Deakin is indulgently polite in attributing the comments of the Radical press on the elections to nothing worse than ignorance.