COBDEN CENTENARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 132, 8 June 1904, Page 3

COBDEN CENTENARY.

DEPRECIATING A HERO. LONDON, June 6. Hie Stnndard says it did not occur to the promoters of the Cobden • celebrations that they were belittling their hero by using ivim ns a mere weapon of party strife. EULOCISTIC REFICRENCKS. (Received June 7, 11.14 p. m .) LONDON, June 7. Sir Robert. (Jrillin, speaking at I lay ward's Heath (East. Sussex) said the success of Coliden'.s commercial policy was uncontrovertible. In sixty years Britain's population hail increased one hundred per cent., and her wealth considerably over two hundred per cent. Wages had doubled, and the number of paupers declined one-third. The value of the "b'ift revolver" in negotiating w itW foreigners had been greatly exaggerated.

I Mr Leonard Courtney, speaking at Edinburgh, and Mr John Morlcy, at Birmingham, eulogised Cobden's work. The latter admitted that the centenary celebration was not purely academic, but connected with an effort to .repeal a. resolute and atiducious movement that was being promoted to undo the work of a great statesman. Mr Morley added : " British prosperity is the first condition of colonial prosperity. For at least a generation the whole strength of the Empire must depend on the strength and power of Britain, since free trade was indispensable. The accumulation of the wealth, power, and credit of Britain was certainly good for the children and kinsfolk across the seas."