FISCAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 196, 20 June 1903, Page 3

FISCAL UNITY.

IMPORTANT SPKKOH BY MR BALFOCTR. MR HUTTON'a MOTION NKQATIYSn. PBB FBJBS ASSOCIATION. London, June 18, SirH, Oampbell-Bannermin declared the fiscal resolution was launched in defiince of constitutional rule and without the Oabinet's approval, in opposition to Mr Ritchie's avowed opinion, and under no plea of urgency. Mr Balfour read Sir H, Ramon's paragraph legarding the declaratian of the Government; " They (the New South Wales Government) express great satisfaction at the declaration by the British Government that every self-governing colony shall be secured in the free exeroiee of its right to enter into closer trade relations with the Mother Oountiy," "That," Mr Balfour exc'anud, " does express the opinion of H s Maj sy's Government (Ministerial ohe rs.) Would Sir H. (lampbellBanneimui be quiescent if foreigncountries penalised the colonies for drawing closer to the Motherland. If the Opposition would only agree, a right policy would be to suppaitthe colonies in giving preferential tariff to cur manufactures, 'lhen no f Jse hopes would he ruhed nor disappointment created, It would only be adistppointment if the Opposition cime into power and abandoned the colonies."

Sir Charles Ddke stated that Mr Bilfour's f-peech was the mos'i momentous declaration bith'-rto made, implying that the Government were in favour of retaliation, Mr Balfour: I never mentioned " retaliation," but said I did noi mean to leave the colonies in the lurch. Interrupting Mr Roism Mr Balfour added: " I have not hesitated to tay that if othtr methods failed I would not shrink f:om retaliation, but I am not certain that tlere are no oth?r method?."

Mr Oh mberl tin said it was possible that if Great Briaio had something wherewhh to negotitte, ouotries hke Gormany would agree to a vivandi, but if Great B itain was in a position of necessity we must try to find a rem dy. He denied that the question was no. urgent, The cobn-'es had raised the question. Britain did not desire to send Canada elsewhere for reciprocal treatment. Wi'hout closer emu rcial union the Empite would fajl into separate atoms. By 251 to 132 the House rejestei Mr Huron's motion: " That this House condemns aoy d-parture from free trade, and considers protection, either for purpose 3 of coloniil preference or retaliation upon foreigners', will inevitably lead to disaster, and endanger the unity of the Empire. It expresses profound that any Minister is committed to a polio/ of food taxation," Ths Nationalist refrained from voting,

G3BMANY ANDCANADA. IMPORTANT SPEHOH BY MR. CHAMBriIRLAW. Kecaivei 19. 10.33 p.m. Ottawa, June 19. Mr Fielding, Minis er of Finance, speaking in thß Dominion House of Oommons and replying to Mr Tarte and others, said the fact that only 28 Commoners favoured the corn duty showed that Fingland was not running away frrm fiee trade. It was no use predicting that Eng'and would readily arcspt Mr Chamberlain's idea as to the corn duties, or even his larger and more moderate schema Mr Chamberlain was destined to have an uphill fight before accomplishing his object. Canada's sympathies were wish him, Canada refused his origin*! proposal for Imperial free tra.de as it was inimical to industry. What was now p-.oposed wa3 moderate duties iu Oatada and modi-rate duties in England upon things whereon England cared to have them.

Loniion, June 19, Inferring to Sir Charleß Dilke, Mr Chamberlain s'ated the Government considered Germany had made a hostila discrimination against Canada, calculated to prevent the Dominion's right to enter into closer relations with the Motherland. The British Government resented that, without blaming Germany for exercising an undoubted light bo long as Britain took such treatment lying down. The mere suggestion of another policy stopped German newspapers from advocating a further discrimination, Canada apparently recog nisad that Biitain's patience was exhausted. The action of the Premiers at the Colonial Conference showed they were disappointed with oar policy.