THE FISCAL QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8142, 27 June 1906, Page 3

THE FISCAL QUESTION.

APPEAL TO THE COMMON. WEALTH. FROM FREE TRADE COMMONERS. Lomdon, June 24. Two hundred and Beventy-four members belonging to tie majority in the Bouse of Commons, but not members of the Government or prominent Lab--rarites, hare signed an appeal issued ij the Cobden Club and addressed to ;he Commonwealth electors. The addross declares that the Bntish electorate has condemned by the nost decisive majority on record the policy of preference, which was by : ar the most important issue ever sub. mitted.

"The decision," runs the appeal, " was due not to any lack of goodwill towards yon. We are proud of a connection which is free and unpnrchased, md rests on our common blood, traditions, and aspirations. The rejection of preference was due to the fact that preferential trade would make food dearer and scarcer. You export your abundance, and we must import the bulk, if not all, of what we (consume. We were asked to submit to a tax upon this food supply in order to give you preference on so much of 1 it as you send us.

"No wonder the electors object to such & proposal, emanating not from yon, but from certain politicians hero. No offer within your power could com- | pensate us for a tax on food. We ask you, not for your sake, for we do not desire to criticise or interfere with your fiscal system, but we ask you for the sake of the workers, for the sake of a:ood-will between you and us, which we hope will constantly become stronger and more binding, not to encourage from your side those amongst as proposing to tax food."

PEESS CRITICISM. London, June 25. The " Times " says that colonials are not likely to be misled by the address. They are aware that their products under preference would be free, while only products from beyond the Empire would be taxed, but this egregious appeal is likely to have one effect. If its example should cause colonials to relinquish their scrupulous absention from any such appeal to ours«lve*, it is sure that their agreement in that case would be more convincing ind fruitful than this address. The " Tribune" (the new Liberal Daily) characterises the appeal as an unusual step taken solely in the interests of continued good feeling, and .vith a view io a better understanding >{ different standpoints. Its effect >uglit to be wholly for good. The " Fall Mall Gazette " says that ;he Eadicals are not satisfied with heir interference in South African iffairs, but are now preparing to educate Australia. The Cobden Club's ippeal it declares to be an impertinent ntrusion.