THE FISCAL CONTROVERSY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7708, 10 January 1905, Page 3

THE FISCAL CONTROVERSY.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S LETTER TO AUSTRALIA. Ultimate Triumph. SYDNEY, Jan. 7. Mr Chamberlain, in his letter received on Friday replying to the Chamber of Manufacturers' invitation to visit Australia, says "The statement so freely made b.v those whose interest in the welfare" of the Empire as a whole has always bcem of doubtfu,! quality that the colonies arc selfishly seeking their own advantage, and, while demanding great sacrifices from us, would make no adequate return, is a libel upon all our fellow subjects across the seas. The Unionist l'artyj have been in power for an exceptional period, and the Opposition is consequently impatient to take their places ; and, speaking for myself, I shall not be sorry if the ordinary swing of the pendulum gives them the opportunity of showing what is really the character of their alternative policy. 1 knouj people in this country are Imperial people, and will not long consent to be governed by Little Englander ideas. A short time of the Opposition would invigorate and unite our own party, and then see their return to power. I should look forward to the triumph of our policy as a question of months rather than of years,"AH AGENT-GENERAL'S FAOX PAS. FEDERAL PREMIER'S CHARACTERISTIC DENUNCIATION. MELBOURNE, Jan. 7. The Right Horn. G. H. Heid, Federal Premier, characterizes Mr Grainger's cabled statement that Australia was prepared to make a commercial trca'iy with some other Power as one of the silliest utterances ever made by an Australian Agent-General, and that was saying a great deal. It was inconceivable that the Commonwealth would make a commercial treaty with any Power other than Britain, which would be oblivious of the fact that Britain keeps her ports open to the products of Australia. LONDON, Jan 1 . 7, The Daily Chvonicle says Mr Retd's message to the Chronicle in reply to Mr Grainger'si statement breathes the same spirit as Sir Wilfrid Laurier's words that "Canadian loyalty was not for sale."