FISCAL INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXV, Issue 183, 17 August 1903, Page 3

FISCAL INQUIRY.

A FZBSXMISJIO ABTIOLB. PXB FBSBS ABBOCUTIOH. LOKDOS, August 13. Wr Balfour, replying to Mr Dilziel, member for Kircaldy, s<tid the Government were revising some advance proofs of the Board of Tnde returns. the Westminster Gazette states that ' the latest report carrying weight is that Mr Chamberlain is considering a j scheme of taxation of foreign manufactored goods, the revenue from which might be devoted lo subsidising the carriage of colonial wheat and other foodstuffs. The Standard, in an apparently inspired first leader, complains of Mr Ohamberlain'a cataclysmic precipi'ancy in introducing a fiscal problem with a prospect pf a more hopelessly shattered party than were the Liberals on the occasion of Mr Gladstone's Home Rule proposals. Mr Chamberlain, in agitating while the Cabinet is inquiring, destroys -collective responsibili y. The situation cannot last. Resignations in any case are only too likely when the Cabinet policy, which Mr Chamberlain SO brusquely assumed to anticipate, is announced. Disruption was not incompatible with common sense. If the proposals are limit?d to a revenue tax on eorn and manufactures which have to meet with unfair bouniied competition of foreign manufictmers in the Home markets, it would be possible to unite Unionism in a majority on a programme capably and reasonably presented to the constituencies. The solution rests with the Cabinet, abiv« al l with Mr Ohamber!air<, if he hj• « s "o drcp he idea of pro . ttiv -xss 1 lr. focd of thi ri'B<-s s.