THE FISCAL ROCK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 165, 16 July 1904, Page 3

THE FISCAL ROCK.

WRECKS ENGLISH UNIONIST PARTY. LONDON, Julv 14. Messrs Henry Hobhouso and C Corbett, the Hon. Arthur Elliott, Mr Edwa«l Hain, the Hon. F. Lanvbum -Mr H. C. Smith, and Sir J. Simeon' members of the House of Commons', refuse to join the new liberal Unionists' Council, preferring, as Free '• Trader's, to follow the Duke of Devonshire. Over one hundred have joined the Unionist Free Trade Club, including many Commoners. MEETING OF MR CHAMBERLAIN'S SUPPORTERS. (Received July 15, 10.44 p.m ) LONDON, Julv 15. Delegates to the numbter of 1800, from 278 Liberal-Unionist Associations, met at the Imperial Theatre. The Duke of Bedford, Earls Carlisle, Grey, Lords Barnard, Clifford, • Morpeth, Tennyson, Lawrence, Wenlock, TVolverton, and many Commoners, supported Mr Chamberlain on tie platform. Mr Ohanityerlain was elected President of the Council Lords Lansdowne aad Setyorna vice-pres/idents, Sir Sa- _ Vile Crossley chairman of the tom'mittee, Earl Fitz,williain treasurer, and Mr Victor Cavendish hon. secrc-Forty-five resolutions relating to tb» tariff were l'ocussed into one, expressing the opinion that the time has come for complete fiscal reform, aad approving of Mr Balfour's de*iaand f or increased powers to deal with hostile tariffs and dumping, as well as expressing a hope that tht ties of symp a thy uniting the Empire may be strengthened by a commercial union with the colonies based on preferential arrangements he- : tween them and the Motherland. This was carried unanimously, as also was a resolution in favour of u i 'redistrttratjonof seats, and of tho Aliens BIIL. SPEECH BY MR CHAMBERLAIN. "A LIVING POLICY."

(Received July 15, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 15. Twelve thousand Liberal Unionists packed the Albert Hall, Mr Chamberlain presiding. There were also present the Earl of Clarendon, Mr Austen Ohanluerlain, Hon. 11. O. Ar-ftold-Forster, Loid Tennyson, Hon. A. Lyttelton, Lord Lanadowiw, many Peers and Commoners, and numbers of Unionist candidates for the next elections. Mr ChaiiiibtTlain said the newly constituted Council appealed to the Government to see if it were possible to draw the Empire closer by commercial bonds based on reciprocity and preferential conditions. Whether

rijfht or wrong, that was a living ,■*' —policy—not a dead superstition. As 1 'the controversy proceeded two great issues emerged : Whether they were "■always to be content to be shut out of foreign markets while welcoming competition here ;or whether, by taking advantage of the friendly disposition of the colonies, by mere transfer of taxation they should nowopen the way to further intercourse with their kinsmen, thus preparing the way for a glorious time when the Empire would be self-sufficient, self-sustaining, and able to stand four-square to all the winds that blow. The Council did not ask for a hurried decision or premature action ; but promised to support the Government if it would lead the way to victory. ""

APPROVING THE NEW FOLICY. (Received July 16, 1.14 a.m.) LONDON, July 15. Lord Tennyson moved a vote of confidence in the Government, and approval of its fiscal policy. This IHM carried unanimously. Lord Lansdowne, in supporting the motion, declared that tho peoplo were weary of the invertebrate, molluscous type of free trade which had rendered Britain the passive and unresisting victim of the aggressiveness and cupidity of other countries. The Government's policy would obviate that ill-treatment, and perhaps do something to protect the colonies. The sympathy which Mr Balfour had expressed at Shellield with the closer union of the Empire by maintaining and developing commercial Intercourse between the Motherland and her colonies, was unabated. Personally he (Lord Lansdowne) could conceive no greater or more stirring ideal than Mr Chamberlain's. He deprecated premature action, since with the colonies there must be no marriage in haste and repentan.je at leisure.

Hon A. Lyttelton hoped those who experienced doubts would not shut the door on this splendid ideal, which had behind it far greater forces than economic ones.