FISCAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 195, 19 June 1903, Page 3

FISCAL UNITY.

A. MISUNDERSTANDING OLEARED UP. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Receive i 18,11.9 p.m. London, June 18.

Replying to the Westminster Gcmette Sir John Sea cabled that his Government's reference to the declaration of tha Britieh Government was suggested by Meters Chamberlain and Balfour's speeches. Thereupon the Westminster Gazette blamed Messrs Chamberlain and Balfour for raising false hopes, possibly leading to broken pledges and colonial rep-osches of bad faith. Mr Obambelain moved thi adjournment of the House with a view to correcting Sir J. See's misunderstanding, making it, clear that Mr Chamberlain's and Mr Bilfou< 's speeches we«e isolat-d expressions and in no wise committing the cabinet, inasmuch ss the House wa« assured th&t pending the Government inquiry into the fiscal statement no conclusion would bs formed, and no action taken except after being debated.

Sir H. Oampbell-Bannermart, paraphrasing tbe Westminster Gazette's comment?, endeavoured to discuss tbe opinion of the colonies regarding the pjlicy as between Britain and the world, but Mr Chamberlain interposed, and the Speaker restricted Sir H. Campbell - B tuneraaan to tho New South Wales Government's misunderstanding.

INQUIRY COMMENCED. REPLY TO MR SEDDON'S THREAT. Receive! 10, 11.26 p.m. London, June 17. Mr Ba'four announces that the various dfpartmer's concerned have begun the inquiry into the fiscxl system. The Government doss not propose to hy down any limitations to the inquiry. __ f.

Mr Chamberhin, replying to Mr Libouchere regarding Mr Seddon's tbreat, said that in a few special cases the Motherland would negotiate on behilf of the eo'enies reciprocal arrangements with foreign powe.s. That would in no wise impair the colonies tight to make such arrangements as they deemsd fi6 with the Motherland or each other.

Wellington, June 18. At the meeting cf the Chamber of Commerce to-day the President, Mr D. J. Nathan, delivered an address on the question of preferential trade, strongly urging reciprocity within th a Empire. He moved that tbis Ohambar recognises that the principle of preferential trade between the United Kingdom and His Majesty's dominions beyond the seas would stimulate and facilitate catural intercourse, and would promote the development of the resources and induitiies of the several parts of the Empire, Afctr a long discussion the nutter was pos'paued to another meeting.