FISCAL REFORM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 220, 13 October 1903, Page 3

FISCAL REFORM.

PKB PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, Octeber 11. Lord James, of Hereford, opposes taxation on food in any form. Earl Spencer, addressing the Eighty Clnb, characterised Mr Chamberlain as a most reckless and unscrupulous statesman, who never hesitated to use any weapon to advance his cause.

HB. RITCHIE ADDRESSES HIS CONSTITUENTS. A VERY MIXED RJtOEPTION. Received 12, 10.46 p.m. London, October 12. Mr Ritchie, when addressing a meeting at Croyden, had an extremely mixed reception, the audience hooting and roaring " Rule Britannia." When a fear was expressed that America would show great resentment and punish Canada if preference was given to Canadian corn he was met with cries of " Rubbish," " Coward," M The McKinley tariff does not coneider us."

Throughout the speech his Cobdenite arguments were met with ribald and eontemptuoas comment. Mr Ritchie complained of the suddenness with which Mr Chamberliin bad launched his policy upon the country without consulting the Cabinet. Be admitted it was an attractive policy and he wss personally prepared to do all he legitimately could to bind the colonies closer. He added: "I proposed to Mr Chamberlain and the Cabinet that a matter of such vital importance should be examined by an unprejudiced tribunal—possibly, a Royal Commission. When Mr Balfour offrred me the Chancellorship of the Exchequer I hesitated, thinking it extremely likely that the question cf preference would come up. Mr Chamberlain desired the shilling corn tax to be retained for the parpoee of giving preference to the colonies, but I determinedly opposed it, threatening to resign, knowing that if the shilling dnty were retained and given to Canada it would only he the commencement of a much larger scheme for taxing bread, meat, and all kinds of produce.

188 LITTLE LOAFERS' BARM. Received 12,12.2 p.m. Losdoh, Saptembtfr 12. At all opon air meeting cf 3000 workmen at Liverpool on Sunday it was resolved that Mr BJfour's and Mr Cfemberlain's polioy would mean a little loaf at'home and the apple of discord abroad. They called upon •very worker to condemn the monstrous absurdity that the workers could be made richer by compelling them to pay for their bread and meat, and preventing them spending their wagea to the greatest possible advantage. ORIIIOISUB AT HOIM AMD ABROAD. Received 13,0.3S a.m. Lohdoh ( October 12. Mr Berridge, the Liberal candidate who opposes the Hon. Alfred Lyttelton •t Warwick, in the ceurae of an address at Leamington denied the colonies' desire to impose on the Motherland a policy meaning the taxation of the bare ' necessities of life to the poorest people. Nzw Tom, September 12. The New York Herald says Mr Chamberlain's argument in favour of preferential trade establishes the urgency frr American-Canadian reciprocity. Pa&is, October 12.

Jl. Meline, ex-Premier, on being interviewed, declared Mr Chamber laic's protectionism wee aimed chi' fly at Germany atd America. If he were an Englishman he would be a freetrader, since, to tuggf at tariff would displease the clientele which Britain with her enormous carrying trade has acquired. FILLING THE VACANCIES. Bacalved 13,0 31 a.m. London, October 12. The new Lord Salisbury has been Appointed Lord Privy Seal with a seat in the Cabinet. Capfc. E. G. Pretyman, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, succeeds Mr Arnold Foster as Secretary to the Admiralty. Colonel Arthur Hamilton Lee, member for Fareham, succeeds Mr Pretyman at the Admiralty. Colonel W. Bromley-Davenport, member for Macclesfield, succeeds Lord S'anley as Financial Secretary to the War Office. The Marquis of Hamilton, member for Londonderry, succeeds Mr Victor Cavendish as Treasurer of the Household.