FISCAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 139, 12 June 1903, Page 3

FISCAL UNITY.

PXR PMSS ASSOOIATIOS. LoHixur, June 10. Lord Kosebary, speaking at Bishop Stortford, said that a return to protection would p.ove an illusory benefit. BIBOPHB AND ANTnTBOPHft, Received 11.10 53 p.m Losdoh, June 11. Mr A'frad Hutton has given notice on behalf of the Opposition, that this Bouse condemns any departure from free trade, and considers protection, either for purposes of colonial preference or retaliation upoi foreigners, will inevitably lead to dis-.ster and endanger the unity of the Empire. It expresses profound regret that any Minister is committed to a polioy of food taxitioD.

Mr Henniker Heatoo, on being interviewed, s\id he wa? confident the country would afford Mr Chamberlain a mandate for his preference propositi He b lievid Mr D akin, in bis recent message to the British Australatian, accua'.e'y described Australia's attitude. MR SEDDOS'S VIEWS. OHBiSTcmracH, June 11. Mr Seddon, interviewed regarding a preferential tariff, said he had received a num'jsr of cable messages from Home, _where there was concern at whit had been announced might eventuate. In case all overtures were fbuttd, and Britain absolutly r.fusei to belpt.be colonies, the n.tural result would be reciprocity with other countries which would be only to) delighted to admit New ZiaUnd's meat, kauri gum, and other products. New Zealand wouW give th-m an advantage in resp.-ct of their manufactured gooif. This was the alternative which had appar:n 1) sot been thought of, but >f Brit.iic gave other nations the sami treatment as she gave the colonies, she could no' complaiu if other n-jtims give the colouies concessions. If Britain refu--ei to do anything, and treated the overtures of the colonies wi h contum ly, she must ba htld responsible. As a nutter of history, Britain herself had had reciprocity with France. Even at the present moment, Newfoundland enjoyed a treaty of reciprocity with America. He would be sorry if, as » las> resource, New Zetland had to adopt this course, but if the Mother Country would neither help bweelf nor allow the colonies to help her, she must be held responsible for the inevitable dismemberment which must follow a maintenance tf the existicg lines if continued.