FISCAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 53, 2 July 1903, Page 3

FISCAL UNITY.

PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION, London, June 30. The President of the Liverpool Wotkiog Em's Coneeivative Association wrote to Lord Stanley, p resident of the Liverpool Constitutional Association, that in his view it was actually impossible to judge of the merits of the fiscal qu:S"ion, and no resolution should be accepted or motion committed regarding Mr Chamberlain's propcsals until the enquiry was complete ai>d the eviderco had been studied. Lord Stanley replied that ho approved of this altitude. LOR:) DKVOCSTOES THK INQUIRY ATTEMPT TO DfAW THE GOVIRNME • T. London, June 30. Lord PortrmouUi, in the House of Lords, inquired whir, pivsposils had been suggested with a view to inducitg Germany to treat Canada reasonably. Lord the object of the fiscal irqmry, and stated th*t what was wanted was a closer union with the colonies, and a means of protecting them and the Motherland from unfair and inequitable competition, j Proposals would come after the discussion. I

Lord Kosebery asked whether the inquiry was intend d to inform the ; nation, or as a mere mechanism to keep the Cabinet together. He denounced the inquiry as impalpable, holding that a Royal Commission might publicly inquire into the issues raised, and the nation be taken into tha confidence of the Government. Lord Seibof ne decla-e'd that the inquiry must be a grand inquest of the nation by all classes, piriies, and the whole press. The Lies of the examina'ion taking place in a psriod of material prcsptriry would provide a safeguard against hasty conclusions. Viscount Goschen inquired as to the elements of the inquiry, and asked whether thefac s would prtcede coming political speeches, or a campaign precede the facts, The Duke of Devonshire interpreted the recent speeches delivered by Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain as indicting the objects of the discussion which would include the question of old age pensions inasmuch as there would be a considerable amount of money available. ' Earl of Jersey: "The c mpiign opens in Oo'ober. Will tin Government meanwhile announce its policy ?'' The Duke of Devonshire: "It will be impossible to m<ke any announcement b-foie the end of the 88E8i<>n." The subject then dropped, bus the debate clearly showed, on the authority of Lord Linsdowi.e and the Duke of Ddvonihir.-, that the Government is not committed to any tariff resolutions. POSITION OiT THK COLONIES. London, June 30. Mr Chamberlain informed MrLaboucherethat no suggestion had be.n made to any .of the colonies that they should surrend r tue liberty which they now hive for framing I Customs tariffs, or t'jar. any altera ion ■ should be m de in the practice of negotiating commercial treaties. The colonies would decide wh .ther the Imperial Government would give adherence to j commercial treaties on their behilf. j Since the Colonial Conference no c.m- j muuication had passed between the Imp:rial Government and that of any colony with regard to pnalisatioa by foreign counties), nor had any colonial suggestion been forthcoming as to the manner of protecting the Empire's fiscal fieedom. < Heceived2, 0 50 a.m j London, July 1. The L'eds Chamber of Commerce has p-ssed a iesolution that the fiscal relations must be considered They < urge the Government to collect infor- j ma;ior; to f .cilitae the formation of an impartial judgment. j A FBKNOH KXPtfKT'3 OFINION. i Paris, June 30. ! Senator Pauliat, a prominent economist, declared that Mr Chamberlain's, policy dangerously menaces France's export trade, and that unless Britain j adopts a preferential policy soon she will less her industrial trade and only retain her carrying trade. It was { essential for Britain to keep her own : markets for herself.