THE FISCAL QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 250, 19 November 1903, Page 3

THE FISCAL QUESTION.

CONTRADICTORY. Received 18, 7.45 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 17. Sir John Gorst, in a speech at Ox ford, said Mr Chamberlain was ad vocating' naked protection, whil proposals to tax food and 'the con solddation of the Empire were place in the background. Lord Hugh Cecil, at Oxford, sai< there was nothing contrary to fre traide in tire temporary imposition o a duty against a particular countr; with a view to 1 obtaining much grea tor freedom of trade. The advocate of retaliation wanted liberty o trade, the advocates of reciprocity, wanted double hindrance to trade. Sir Charles Dilke, speaking l a Newington, said the Empire's dainge] was not in the absence of trade pre ference, but the risk of Europear co-operation, which Mr Chamberlain's policy increased. Sir John Cockburn, formerly Ag-ent-General for South Australia, speaking at South Norwood, applauded Mr Chamberlain's courageous common sense policy. Australia's experience proved that an import duty does not necessarily fali on the consumer. NEW ZEALAND ALL THE TIME. Received 18, 9.30 a.m. SYDNEY, Nov. 18. The Telegraph, commenting on Mr Seddon's reciprocity proposals. Bays they mean " New Zealand all the Empire never." HUNGARY AND AUSTRIA. ntIDA PESTH, Nov. 17. M Heironyme, Minister for Commerce, advocating the maintenance of Customs, union between Hungwry and Austria, declared that the law of modern political' economy was forcing groups of states to draw closer. He was convinced Mr Chamberlain's ideas of closer Customs union Iwtween the Motherland and the colonies would triumph. JEWELLERY IMPORTATIONS. Received 19, 0.59 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 18. Mr Chamberlain, in his Birmingham speech, stated the local jewellery traide was nearly ruined by foreign importations, especially last year. Sir John, Brunner asserts that a London firm's agent in Morocco picked up cheap from the Sultan ?" d * rs - owing to the rebellion, £IOO,OOO worth of jewellery, hence the heavy importation. He says the jewels were recut and reset in Birmingham.