FISCAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 191, 15 June 1903, Page 3

FISCAL UNITY.

" 818 H. RAWSON'S DESPATCH. >BB fRKSS ASSOCIATION, London, June 12. In the House of Commonp, Sir H. C&mpbell-Bannsrman asked if the despatch cabled from Sir Harry Baweon, Governor cf New South Wales, accurately expressed the declared intentions of the British Government with regard to preferential duties and retaliatory tariffs. Mr Balfour said that he was not aware what was the declaration to which St Harry Raweon referred but the Government certainly would not look wiih indifference on any attempt to penalise a colony for exercising its right to enter into specially favourable relations wi h tbe Motherland. Sir Charles Dilke enquired what Sir Harry Riwson bad to do with a matter concerning the Commonwealth. Mr Ohsmberlain said it was perfectly true that a matter of the constitution concerned the ComjQQowealtb, but that did .not interfere tirith the right cf the • Governriiant of any eeifgOverning colony tp express an opioion. Sydhst, June 13. Nothing h available about Sir Harry Eawsoti'a despatch mentioned '4n the cables.

OWTICI3H OF MR. SEDDON'B VIEWS. Sydney, June 13. The Daily Telegraph, commenting on Mr Seddon's remarks on preferential trade, says that it comes to this —" that the whole of New Zealand's patriotism as a color i il unit of the Empire ii to be measured by the amount which it is allowed tc get out of the pocket of the British taxpayer through the medium of trade concesaions in fr.zen meat, kauri gum and other products. If the Empire will not give these concessions, let it be dismembered."

There is, however, says the paper, ■omething to be learn el ea to what the effect of a preferertiil trade scheme upon the Empire might be. woul4 remove ihe bond of sentiment which now binds the colonies to the Motherlacd end rep'ace it by a tie of sordid interest which would immediately become the cause of tha most ambatrasBing friction.

OPINION CF MINERS' CONFERENCE. LORD EOSHBERT o DOUBTS. Received 14, 5.16 p.m. London, June VS. The Miners' Federation Conference, now beiog held at Balh, re-affirmFd eonfidenre in free trade, and condemned tbe vacillating policy of Mr Balfour, and Mr Chamberlain's scheme, also the Wanton irsuits to workers and trade unionists contained in recent speech-s. Lord Rosebery, spaaking at a dinner giv zr by tbe L'bjral League, Slid he believed Mr Chamberlain was set king the unity of the Empire, but had not Sufficiently thought out the plan. He added that he did not believe in the policy foreshadowed, which, if carried oat, would cement the Empire, but if not carried out it would, by raising the question in the manner it had been raked, do irreparable damage. Bofaras be understood the Government's proposals, he could conceive nothing so detrimental to the Empire's union and prosperity. There were many difficulties to overcome, due to distance and mutual jealousies, and he trembled to think of tbe effect on the { Empire's delicate world-wide organisation.' A zollverein would imply a discriminating tariff with the Motherland to meet tbe difficulty of the vary-1 icg of the « mpttirg colonies. Mr Atquith strongly supported free trade. He considered the proposed inquiry was, apparently, for the exolmive bent fit cf Mr Balfour, who alone among bis colleagues hid unsettled convictions and an open m'nd.

818 H. BAWSON'a DESPATCH. Received 14. 6.5 p.m. Sydney, June 14 Ihe following is a copy of Sir H. Riwson's preferential trade despatch mentioned in the cables; -"My Government, recognising that preferential trade will be directly advantageous to Australia by securing her a market for natural products, and believing that this policy is in the highest degree conducive to the welfare and solidarity of the Empire and union of British-speaking people, strongly support your proposal to investigate tbe practicability tf such preference; also that what is Canada's turn to-day may be Australia's tomorrow. They express great satisfaction at tbe declaration by the British Government that every self-governing colony shall be secured in the free exercise cf its right *■> enter into closer trade relations the Mother Country. The Premier states that the Go vercor. sent this cable at hiß request, and that he and his colleagues are entirely responsible for the contents, Sir H. Bawson being simpiy asked to transmit the cable and he did so. -