MR CHAMBERLAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 160, 11 July 1904, Page 3

MR CHAMBERLAIN.

■ ;a birthday banquet, , freetrade and empire. {Received July 11, 0.46 a.m.) LONDON, July 10,

•)ne hundred and seventy-seven Un- - londsl members of the Commons were present at a banquet at the Hotel Cecil in honour of Mr, Chambcrlain't birthday. Twenty-one wrote synipathetically, •

'* Mr Chamberlain, in acknowledging this unique demonstration in favoui of «n Idea, declared that all present were loyal admirers and supporters '' o» Mr Balfour, They were determined to keep the Government in power Personally he was a fiscal reformei mainly because he was an Imperialist. It was every patriotic Briton's duty to draw the different parts of the Empire closer while there was yet time. "Since the colonies are prepared to meet us," he said, " in no petty grudging spirit, we must throw aside pedantry and be prepared to make concessions—even the sacrifices ridiculed by Sir Henry Campbell-Bennerman when describing a comr/>rcief union with the colonies as a sirdid bond. Statesmen must use the present creative time lo lay the foundations of the Empire oi -the future. Let them call the colonies to our councils, and conclude arr&ngemeuls for developing trade with our best customers and so making a prosperous Empire." His first doubts over frectrade arose when called upon to defend it, but the new aspect of the question—not the economic aspect—was revealed when he entered the Colonial Office. Then he realised that the question was connected with the future grcatnetr, and prosperity of the race.