FISCAL UNITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 173, 24 July 1903, Page 3

FISCAL UNITY.

AN INTERESTING RETURN.

1 Per Press Association. Received 23,11.17 p.m. London, July 23. A3 a "first instalment of the fiscal inquiry, the Board of Trade has issued a return showing that bet*e;m 1881 and 1903, the imports of Britain increased from 399| millions to milliors, while the exports incraaseJ from 295j millions to 349j millions. Of th-- 129 millions of increased import?, 116 millions came from foreign countries'.

The imports from the autonomous calonies increased from 42£ millions to nearly 60 millions, while ft ona the other colonies the increase amounted to 2| millions.

Imports from India had decrees-d frrm 351 to 28| millions British exports rose in 21 years by £4 millions, or, deducting foreign and colonial produce and ships, by 46 mil lions. India and the colonies account for 26 millions of this increase, acd foreign countries for 20 millions.

Between 1881 and 1885 the colonies and Itdia annually bought 91 millions of British produce, foreigners taking 151 millions. Now foreigners fake 174 million*', Jtbe autoromous colonies millions, India nearly 32| millions, and other colonies 16 millions.

A BENBIBLW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Received 24, 1.)2 am. London, July 23. Mr Arthur ChambrrliiD, addressing the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, declared the fiscal inquiry was a device of i's supporters to stave off discussion until they were ready to commenca raging and tearing tbeir propaganda throughout the country. In the face of this declare'ion the Chamber adopted a resolution expres sing aympithy with the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain aid his fisc.il scheme.

In the Commons, Mr Chamberlain, in reply to a question, s dd that neither the Government, nor himsi If, cor any of the Unionist Party had suggested any taxation on raw materia!, whether cf wool or hides.