FISCAL REFORM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 229, 24 October 1903, Page 3

FISCAL REFORM.

FARLIAinWT TO KUN ITB COURSE. OURIOCH SEASONING. Vet Press Association. Received 24,1.12 a.m. Losdoh, Oetober 23. The Daily Telegraph states that Parliament will ran its normal course unless the Government is defeated on a vote of want of confidence, or on an important £Ol. THe Bight Hon. Sir Edward Grey, speaking at Alnwick, said it was impossible to return to protection. Mr Chamberlain only half understood what the protectionists were after. They were trying to establish the same conditions as led to the Trusts in America. If preference transferred to the colonies the production of Britain's .food it would cause a decline, necessitating the reimposition of taxes on tea and sugar. He did not wish to behave ungenerously to the colonies, and if by further sacrifices we could draw them near by free trade within the Empire there might be something in it, but, since they are protectionisms, Mr Chamberlain must be causing them grave misgivings. Instead of drawing the colonies to fret trade they were drtwing us to protection. A JAUNDICED POLITICIAN. THE MONOPOLIES BOGIE. 8e0eive*24.1.25 B.in. Loudon, October 23. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, speaking at Starling, said the fiscal schema was a one mso policy, and but for Mr Chamberlain not a hundred men would be talking about protection and retaliation and the question would revar have been raised. Mr Chamberlain playing pranks with the vital of the Empire. He ought to table a scheme instead of trading on the alarms, pasrions, cupidity, and credulity of the people. Britain did not need protection, with the consequent creation of monopolies and high prices There was no need for being hysterical about foreign nations if we increased in skill, energy, adaptability and resourcefulness. Mr Ohambarlain's proposals substituted galling bonds for ties now setting lightly and pleasantly on the colonies.

WBD GBORGE HAMILTON EXPLAINS Received 24,1.35 a.m. Londov, October 23. Lord George Hamilton, in a speech it Eiling, said he was willing to face sacrifices to bring the colonies intr> closer unity with the Motherland if the political gains compensated for the burdens, but he would not consent to a crude scheme because it was labelled "Imperialira." Mr Chamberlain's great xaperial idea had degenerated into a protectionist campaign. On the last day of the session the Cabinet considered Mr Balfour's pamphlet and the proposals be wished to put forward in the name of the Government, including preferential tariffs and taxing food. The Cabinet agreed to the publication of the pamphlet but differed as to the proposals, adjourning the discussion until September 14th, when tbey again disagreed. " Afterwards the Duke of Devonshire, myself, Ifr Ritchie, and Lord Balfour of Burleigh agreed to resign, aH being ignorant of Mr Chamberlain's resig-1 nation, but ku>wing preference would not be altogether dropped while he remained in the Cabinet. After the next Cabinet meeting, as we wrre in - formed of no change in the situation, I resigned, still uu jerstrnding that Mr Chamberlain was a member." He regretted Mr Balfour had not taken care to regulate the resignations, so as to avoid causing any misunderstanding. If the propaganda were continued, the osuntry would be committed to the pro tection, or if the Unionist party were smashed, either would be a catastrophe.