FISCAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 154, 3 July 1903, Page 3

FISCAL UNITY.

SUPPORT BY IBONWOKKERS. SIB CH&.BLBS DILKfFS THREAT. HB PBSSB ABBOOIATIOy. . Londoh, July 1. The Soath Wales Iron and S'eel Workers' Sliding Scile Committee adopted a resolution supporting Mr Chamberlain's recommendation, for the reotoa that the alteration was needed to place the iron and steel industries on an equality with exporters abroad. Lord Oarrington. who preside! at an emergency meeting of the National liberal (Jlub, moved a resolution, wtich wag adopted, viewing Mr Chamberlain's proposals with alarm. Sari Grey assarted that the present suspense was unfair to the country and oonld not last. Sir Oharles Dilkc said the issue was M stupendous that if the Radicals were unable to sweep the country on this qaastion, be was willing to support a Government of free trade Tories or a ooalition Ministry. The country must toll Mr Chamberlain thai it would no. consent to a tax on food, and tell Mr Batfmr that while the cry ef retaliation might mislead the unwary, it would build up a wall of protection, |ndf introduce, under the shel-er of the walj, protected industries of whioh the ODqntry never get rid. Although ISO Unionist members of the House of Common* favour a fiscal inquiry, fifty pgr cent of the pirty, chiefly representing combined urban and rural constituencies, decline at present to participate either in a concerted movement or an electoral campaign daring the recess. Beoslved 2.11-39 p.m. lilt Council of the OJonial lostitute Unanimously and heartily concurred io ITssill Bdfour's and Ohambarlain's suggea'ion that Imperial fiscal relations should be thoroughly examined. OOHTXRIMCK OFFRM-TBADE XTNIOMI3TB. ÜBKB&L OOMMITTBB FOKMBD. BeoeiTed 3,0.33 a.m. Lokdoh, July 2. The Bight Hon. H. Hobhous®, pre riding at a meeting of 54 free trade Unionist Commoners, explained that Ilia aim was to waist the Government, and ensure a frank and fair enquiry by the committee appointed to examine the probable effect of the suggested changes on the unity of the Empire miH the eociil and industrial welf -ire of the United Kingdom, and to explain to the country the objections to protective taxation of imports. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach stated the meeting wished to s ive the party from a rr:«hing defeat. The conference of U u.onistß on the 24th u't. wis evidently organised by protectionists Mr Chamberlain's schem*, if dep'-ed, would provoke a strong t , uggle between Colonial and Home interests. He criticised.tne proposal* with a view of showing the impracMcibilitj of compe'iSitiog co sumn'S for iccreased c:s. of fwd by re^justing duties on tea, ■agar, and tobicco.

Mr Goachen doubted whether Mr Ohunberlain would bs able to sweep the country with so many Unionist m'mbera against him. He denounced Mr'Qhamberlain's fiscal policy as most dangerous, and the necessity . f restricting the icq'iiry to stati'Hca'' informvioo hiving tho G>»vernmer. r gtxmp, privtto corupl ioa uot bein gaffici-nt au'hority. ' Tho L-beral Fre-tradfl Commoner* h*ve formed a coiimittoe «i'h co! leagues ussocia'ed with commerce to secure adequate ventilation of their views connected with the present controversy.