FISCAL REFORM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 223, 17 October 1903, Page 3

FISCAL REFORM.

LORB ROSEBttRY'B ERROR, PES PRESS ASSOCIATION. Lobdon, Sopsember 15. Mr 0. 0. Lmce, New South Wales commercial agent, in a better to the Times, replying to Lord Rosebery'a re- : mark thai preference to Australia was restricted to wine and fruit, emphasise the importance of Australasian export of meat and dairy and othnr products. The limes says Mr Chamberlain does not propose neither do the Colonies demand, preference in r.verythiog, regardless of our interests aud lioiita tions.

The Right Hon. Herbert Gladstone, M.P., addressing a meeting at Leeds, said: "We can get on with the Colonies well enough without cutting our own throats." The Queensland Agent-General, interviewed, declared that Mr Chamberlain's proposals were feasible and opportune. Preference was the best means of insuring the Imperial destiny. The Colonies wr.uld gradually reciprocate any sacrifices Great Britain makes. A BPEOIOUS ARGUMENT. Received 16.10.20 p.m. London v October »16. Mr Winston Churchill, in a letter, says Mr Chamberlain is a tremendous power by himself, and that there is too much reason to fear that Mr Balfour is secretly aiding and abetting him. The proposed numerous taxes on most articles of food may, by a turn of the. screw, be considerably raised with the' ultimate object of transferring to the shoulders of lab mr the great proportion of the prodigal increase in the cost of the Government. He adds that Mr Chamberlain admitted in the Commons tlut the worker will pay threefourths of all such indirect taxes. AN EXPLANATION BY MR CHAMBERLAIN. Received 16,10 25 p,m,

London, October 16. Mr Chamberlain, in a letter dealing with the proposed duty on manufactures, eays it will vary from an average of ten per cent, according to the amount of labour involved, thus, if boots and shoes are taxed, the tax on leather which is partly manufactured will be much less. If tho proposals are adopted an expert committee will be appointed to collect evidence with regard to all manufactures befare fixing the tariffs, and consider the special circumstances of each trade and the part played in its) success by the different articles used in its production. This is the scientific spirit wherein the Germans work, and it is desirahle to imitate it.

AN UNSCRUPULOUS OPPONENT. Received 15,11.41 p.m. London, October 16. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, addressing a great Liberal meeting at Bolton, said that no attempt hud b-en made to prove the reckless and monstrous slander on the Motherland and colonies that the Empire was on the verge of dissolution and would fall to pieces unless the fi-r-al policy was altered, This assertion touched a depth in political profligacy. The Liberals were believers in free trade because it was good for the country and gave the freest play to individual > initiative and energy, as well as the 1 largest liberty to the producer and consumer. Mr Balfour's attitude implied that he knew the Empire, by disintegrating trade, was being visibly ruined, and-he knew the specific cure; but if be proclaimed the cure when the time was unripe he would be ejected from power. Therefore he was prepared to let the Empire perish in order to save himself and the Government, Retaliation never lowered tariffs, but under it they rose higher, The Government claimed tbe weapon for the purpose of bluff. We knew what the "bluffer" cost in the case of Sonth Africa.

It was no condition of the Liberals' belief in free trade that others should follow out the example, Protection represented a system of outdoor relief based on favouritism, and transforming a healthy trade into parasite industries. Mr Chamberlain's policy knocked itself to pieces upon taxes on food, whereto the country would never submit. The Liberals relied upon economy in finance, better education, reform in the land system, and reform in the conditions of labour to raise the standard of living of everyone,