THE FISCAL QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 253, 24 November 1903, Page 3

THE FISCAL QUESTION.

MR CHAMBERLAIN AT CARDIFF. LONDON, Nov°"~22. Mr Chamberlain, at Cardiff, continued :—" When the .lumpers have destroyed the steel liar trade they dump tin plates. A hostile tariff, seientlilically directed, kills trade which under normal conditions would remain ours." A great change had come over public opinion in Great Britain. Unrestricted free imports were doomed. Tho people were tired of lying down to he trampled upon and bullij-d when they got up. Some of his opponents recognise possible difficulties, but proposed no it: ledy, except Lord Rosebery's commercial repose. Go to sleep, gentlemen," exclaimed Mr Chamberlain. " Forget your troubles. If you suffer from nightmare try Rosebery's famed soporific pills." Mr Chamberlain concluded :—" I think wo want commercial activity." THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF. IN FAVOUR OF AGRICULTURALISTS. LONDON, Nov, 23. Mr Green, Secretary to the Rural Labour League states that farmers Times, states that farmers and agricultural labourers in England and Wales have decreased from 1,670,000 in 1851 to 981,(533 in 1901 ; the wheat acreage from 3,350,390 in 1866 to 1,531587 for the present year. He adds that Mr Chamberlain's proposals cannot mean less rural employment. Mr Green addressed recently 20 village meetings in Liberal constituencies in Eastern England, and states that Mr Chamberlain's proposals were carried by acclamation, excepting in three instances. SOME INTERESTING DETAILS. LONDON, Nov. 22. A semi-official report, issued from Pittsburg, shows that out of 366 American tin plate mills 158 are idle, while 359 are working in Great Brltjain, compared with 404 last year.

Sir,' J. T. Jenk|iins, writing to the Westminster Gazette, asserts that Welsh tin plate products last year were the largest in the history of the trade.

"Sir J. T. Brunner, Interviewed on -behalf of the Daily News, condemned tho Government's lack of assistance to trade and commerce, and declared that every other Govermnwtt constantly gave direct aid. Apart from protective duties, tho Government could, by cheaper transit, if it brought inland ways up to date, do more for trade than any possible protection could do. He also advocated the Zane system of railways, applying the bettermen's system to tho railways and making London available to the largest ships. He added that tho resurrection of Danish agriculture under Government assistance had taught a valuable lesson.