Mr Chamberlain's Personality.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7930, 20 September 1905, Page 3

Mr Chamberlain's Personality.

'As Australian journalist wbu lu.d the good fortune to s<*"re an Tiew with Mr ChatnbctUm at the House ol Commons this *«k came away "impressed by the stungth °l the leader s personality, by bis eudttit sincerity, ami the (act that tie is probably beyond any other '"P lishman, imbued with Hit spirit oi the bcw and Hue. a* opposed to Oi: old jLi UU. liui'truliaiu." llie intetviewtr tu& givui a raved c! the conversation to the British Austin* Usian- "I want," said Mr Chamberlain, to see the representatives ol Ibe colonies come to the Conference, which will, 1 believe, be held in a (ew months, absolutely unfettered by conditions or advice from anyone as to what they should do or what they should leave undone. I want evereryooe who tits' in that Confen-MV to put his cards on tire table, to say —This is what 1 have to give ; wliai have you to give in return. And if this is not enough—if you want more —well, What more will you give us ? I want theui to let the people of this country, who, now their interest) is awakened, will watch tlie prortvdings With the utmost keenness, mv Without the possibility ol a quUile or a mistake that they lave thinf; of breat value to give, something of great value to give, somewot kless man or woman, to everyone In I act who is dependent on employment for a living. I want these colonies to let our people see that they only ask tor what is fair and reasonable in return. I believe that Conference .will eventually kill the idea some people are trying to foster, that this is only a scheme t<> enable the colonies to get their hands into the pockets of the British taxpayer" "Most of us hopt," iiid the interTie wn, "that the adoption of your policy will eventually lt*.l to complete Impetial Frteirade." "We all, 1 think, hupc that, ' htanswered, "lut that must take tuae. We have no iij,ht to np t c* that thttc young and growing countries •hall have no desiro to estaWistt their own industries, or that they will be prepared to remove all restrictions until they are cstaljished Irmly." The final handshake left the Australian with a feeling that no journAlkt ever relishes. "Only tAen did I realise that I, too, bad been inlerthat certain deft questions had been asked by a mao who lose* •0 opportunity of adding to bis vast •tote ol ( Information."