THE FISCAL QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 254, 25 November 1903, Page 3

THE FISCAL QUESTION.

MR RITCHIE ON THE SITUATION LONDON, Nov. 23. The Right Hon. C. T. Ritchie( lute Chancellor of the Exchequer) in a letter to the firoydon Registration Association says : 'IT we agree with Mr Balfour we should retaliate for the outrageous unfairness on the part of foreign countries or for penalising th(i colonies for giving preference to the Motherland," MR SEDDON'S BILL; / LONDON, Nov. 2ii. A Reuter correspondent says that the Canadian Government express satisfaction concerning Mr Seddon'a preierence proposals which it thinks will probably result in an extension of Canadian preference to New Zealand as well as to South Africa. The Council of the Atistraiasiatt Chamber of Commerce) declaring) that Australasians take an absorbing interest in the momentous proposition of preferential tariffs.; invite the Cbjaimibers td discuss it at an ..early : tiaie. VThe Daily News, commenting oh She utterances of Mr Seddon and Mr Drummond (President of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association) says it is obvious Mr Charriberlain is pushing the colonies deeper into the mire of protection. Received 24, 10.13 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 24. The Dublin Chamber of Commerce discussed Mr Chamberlain's proposals, and resolved, in the absence of definite information regarding', the probable effect of the proposed changes in the policy, to recommend the Government to hold an enojuiry.

A FORCEFUL SIMILE. Received 25, 12;4 a.m. LONDON; Nov. 24. ■ Sir Edward Grey; addressing a Liberal meeting at Salisbury, said the unfortunate supporters of the Government were willing to endure three years' doubt and uncertainty. To postpone the general election was neither business nor good politics. Mr Balfour was playing a dummy hand of whist,. and Mr Chamtoerlain alone knew what was in that band, and was playing Mr Balfour's cards face down. No Prime Minister was able to play dummy in politics indefinitely. He had retaliation on his lips, protection in his thoughts, and taxes on food up his sleeve. Mr Chamberlain believed he would be able to increase Home trade export by artificially increasing the cost of the articles we used and made. People should lp made to'use the less in the price of everything were artifici.ally raised, the consuming power UKould be restricted, and Home trade was bound to shrink.

WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. Mr Seddon received the following cables, on the passage of thet Preferential Tariff Bill:

From the Secretary of State for the Colonics, London, November 23 : " His Majesty's Government hava received with much satisfaction your telegram of November 21, reporting that the New Zealand Legislature has passed a Bill granting preferential rates of Customs duties to the United Kingdom. They regard this spontaneous concession as a further proof of the steadfast determination of the people of New Zealand to promote the strength and solidarity of the Empire."

„ !l rom Mr Joseph Chamberlain • tion Ca,, ' ty and silwere cangratula-

Messages expressing satisfaction were also received from Mr Pearson Chairman of the Tariff Reform League and Mr Mahony, Secretary of the Birmingham Committee.