FISCAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 126, 29 May 1903, Page 3

FISCAL UNITY.

AUSTRALIAN FOLLY AND GERMAN I JUBILATION. | PEE PBBSS ASSOCIATION. Received 28,'10.44 p.m. London, May 28. The announcement in the GovernorGeneral's speech at the cpening of the Commonwealth Parliament, regardiag the delay in dealing with the question of preferential trade, has evoked a chorus cf congratulation from the German press. Received 29,10.56 p.m. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Mr Kitchiesaid he did not propose to modify the Finance Bill in order to affjrd preference to colonial products. Chbistohubch, May 28. At the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day, the Cident, Mr A. H. Turnbull, said ho _ id that Mr Chamberlain's recent speech would be the forerunner of definite action in the direction of a preferential custom tariff. The action of Canada in adopting a tariff giving preferential trade relations to Great Bri bin was a brilliant example. It was for the colonies to take the initiative, arid to unreservedly express their decision to join forces with Great Britain, and present an united front in trade and commerce as spontaneously as they had exhibited thrir desire, and carried into effect their intention to assist her on the battlefield of South Afrioa. A preferential tariff meant no increase in direct taxation, but only a surcharge upon produce from foreign countries, and it would be a clear udication to those countries of the spirit which animates us. It had been shown that over 85 per cent of eur import trade, and 95 of the expo:t is with Great Britain, therefore any disturbance of commerce can be but sm>ll, and a preferential tariff in favour of Great) Britain would be but slightly felt, and tbet», probably, only for a short period. Mr Liureneon, M.H.R, said he strongly sympathised with the movement, and felt that the proposals would be accepted with a great deal of enthusiasm.