IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 246, 21 October 1904, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

TRAIL OF FISCAL REFORM MOVEMENT. SOUTH AFRICA'S FAVOUR. CAPETOWN, Oct. 19. The Hoe.. T. W. Smartt, formerly Minister for Public Works, speaking; at Fort Beaufort, said all the South African colonies favoured preference, not only as far as South Africa wus conceratd, but throughout the Empire. It would promote the Empire's consolidation and unification, which was the ideal of those working for preference. MONMOUTH BYE-ELECTION. THE CANDIDATES' ATTITUDE ON THE QUESTION. LONDON, Oct. 19. The Standard says that Sir John Cockbum, candidate or West Monmouth, a Radical, goes "the whole hog" as an unbending protectionist, and since Mr Richards, the Labour nominee, is also a tariff reformer and an Unionist, bitter voting will ensue. The Times, says that Sir J. Cockburn s , candidature abolishes the sedulously fostered idea that the colonies are not in earnest regarding tariff reform. % Mr Winston Churchill and Mr Lloyd George, M.P.'a, speaking at Cam, Devon, advocated an extensive revolution, enabling each nationality in Great Britain to deal witk licensing, education, and other local interests. A FEDERAL COMMISSION. NON-POLITICAL BODY, FOR INQUIRY. MELBOURNE, Oct. 20. The Federal Government has decided to appoint a Royal Commission composed of business men and no politicians. The commission will be men o< moderate fiscal views, and • will investigate the working of the tariff. Mr Istacs is likely to base bis attack on the Government over the appointment of the Cooimiwion. SOCIALISTS' REQUESTS. REACHING OUT FOR THE MILLENNIUM. LONDON, Oct. 19. The Pemoeratic Federation will ask Sir rieiiry Oainpbell-Bnnnermaiii (the 1 Leader of the Literal party) to support the nn-aaireu providing for • ' the payment of members, and th» Clotbir.e', fv.td ng, awl sheltering of school children. SIR EDWARD GUEY SPEAKS. INTER-IMPERIAL FREE TRADE POLICY. /Received Oct. 20, 11.53 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20. "Sir Edward Grey, speaking at Seltoy, said that if the Motherland consented to a tax on food - she would expect the colonies to reduce the tax on British goods for the purnose of establishing an inter-Impe-rial free trade. He welcomed any conference with colonies that would ' anakc them "feel that •they are partners with us in the management of she Empire. If the colonies then >'ish to discuss the nsc a l question, ' iet it be discussal ; but the calling , of a conference to discuss fiscal matters only, for the purpose of ■ - asking for lower duties on British goods when the colonies declare that they are unable to afford It, is bound to cause friction." ■ • The British Empire League, at Hon. W. P. Reeves' instance, passed a resolution that Sir": Frederick • Pollock's letter was a' thoughtful and weighty contribution to the k literature of federation, and it inY vites branches to fully discuss the : letter. ■. ' >