FISCAL REFORM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 228, 23 October 1903, Page 3

FISCAL REFORM

MB OHAHBERLMN AT TYNEMOUTH. rat nam association. Received 22,11.5 p.m. London, October 22. Mr Chamberlain had a great meeting at Tynemouth. He denied that the issue was sprung on an astonished country and said: " I distinctly announced to the Cabinet that I would resign if preference were not accepted 1 m the'policy of the Government, enabling me to appeal to Caesar, though not in a spirit of unfriendliness to th° Cabinet,' If I fail at the first general election I will proceed until convinced that the colonies reject the scheme - which is improbable—or the British *re so provincial as to be unable to understand the magnitude and importance of tbe issue. Voluntary offers of pereference ipade by Ottawa twice to London wera rejected, owing to the pedantic ideas of the recently converted free traders like Mr Bitchie. lam unable to see bow otherwise I can retain the colonies' good will, which is too precious to be played with. My opponents allege that I proposed at Glasgow that the colonies should enter into a self denying ordinance, never, under any circumstances, to •ztend the number of their manufactures or conquer new fields of commerce in competition with the Moberland. That arose from a misapprehension and was intended to make the colonieß believe I was blind to their natural conditions and necessities, and was prepared to arbitrarily stop their progress in order to secure an ad van tage to Britain. The colonies know that under no circuma f anc« l ß do I want to interfere with their commercial freedom any mnre than I would like them to interfere with ours. When we negotiate we shall see how far it is possible to arrange a policy mutually advantageous. I believe the colonies prefer to deal with us and |jive a preference sufficient to open new fields of commerce. Now with £26,000,000 a year -in a fe® years it. ] wil* probably be three-fold- it will be possible to stimulate British emigration in a manner advantageous to the colonies, 1 think the colonies are inclined to frame their futnre tariffs on natural, sot on artificial lines, encouraging manufactures for which they have special facilities, and not encouraging manufactures which possibly they can buy cheaper. This policy, combined with preference, would leave Britain a constantly increasing trade, miking full amends for any loss in other directions, I pm confident the colonies would negotiate in a spirit of generous appreciation, without ba?£rling. If a mandate were given it would be advis- ** ab'e for the Colonial Secretary to proceed to the colonies to negotiate on the spot. The meeting entbusiasHca'ly resolved the time was opportune for a reconsideration of the fiscal poiicy.