FISCAL REFORM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 230, 26 October 1903, Page 3

FISCAL REFORM.

IRELAND GREATLY BENEFITTED B7 SCHEME. Per Iress Association. London, October 24. Lord Lonsdale, addressing his constituents, warmly supported Mr Chamberlain's policy, which, he said, was calculated to greatly improve Ireland's prospects, and would substitute mixed farming for the present too exclusive reliance on stock raising. Before long the great majority of people would range themselves on the side of Mr Chamberlain. THE FREE FOOD LEAGUE'S PLATFORM. Received 26, 0 10 a.m. London, October 25. The Unionist Free Food League has elected the Duke of Devonshire president, and Lord Gocbec, Sir M. HicksBeach, and Mr Ritchie Vice-Presidents. They approved a statement declaring their willingness to consider in a friendly and loyal spirit Mr Balfour's plan, but declaring Mr Cbamrerlain's policy would raise the price of food, and injure some trades by lessening the purchasing power, and be a harassing interference inseparable from a Customs tariff embracing a great number of articles; raise the price of partly manufactured imports for many of the best paid industries, thereby increasing the cost of production, and impairing the power of competing with foreign rivals. Also further declaring that the nature and value of the suggested colonial preference is undefined, as all that is known is that the colonial manufacturer will still be protected against the British, though the British farmer is not protected against the colonial, hence it will be all to the disadvantages of an Imperial Zollverein and none gained. It adds that little attention is paid to the needs of India, or other possessions whose tariffs are not protective, and concludes that if Mr Chamberlain's principles are accepted by the electorates the manufacturing and producing interests will hereafter endeavour to obtain protection of their own industries, and disregard the general welfare of the conntry.