The Preference of Trade

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1113, 7 October 1904, Page 3

The Preference of Trade

Meeting of 70QU

Address by Mr. Chamberlain

Pr»u Aiiflcwtion.—uoDrrißfct London, October 6 Mr Bkdfoud presided at n gathering 0 7000 p( rioud seated in a speciallyconstructed hall at Linton. Mr, Chamberlain explained that his fiscal proposals woro not a tai, but a toll on foreigners. This was no party question. 11l depended on the approval of tho groat majority of tho nation, Britain's industries would have boon ruined but for tho tnoroascd exports to tho colonies. Ho noxt unfo'ded his proposals for tho bonoflt of agriculture, dealing with the colonial ovortares. He declared that Lord Rosebery had ' dono unintondod aorvice, and had elicited from Mr Balfour a statement more momentous than any lie had hitherto made His speech had marked a stage in this COntrovorsy. Mr. Chamberlain continued: " Mr. Balfour began by defining the term piotoHonist, I,too,although I do not oaro one of your straws how opponents label mo, say I have no rawo idea of averting to the protection of 50 years ago than to tho froo trado of that period. Both two antiquated, and' do not affect tho present question, which is one of free imports on tho ono hand and • tariff reform on tho other. Mr Balfour, in proposing tn deal with unfair competition, did not desire and did iot expect his policy to raiso the cost of articles. Experience shows that paradoxical as it may seem there is a possibility of imposing duties for the purposo of stopping hostilo tariffs without raising the prico of goods, The experience of America and Canada is that despite tho duties it is possiblo to sell cheaply because tho manufacturer can sceuro in tho market ho employs tho latest machinery, and he produces largely and cheaply; and if by Midi a change, iir.d a reform tiriff such as Mr. Balfour and I propose,security is given to British luariiiiucturers, there is no reason why it should not bo attended 'with the sumo result, Mr Balfour wont further than tho Sheffield policy by dealing not only with tho question of principle, but procectlnre. I hope he means loineludotheliuger Crown colonies in tho conference if tho colonies agree, as I know they will, If they make offers wo should meet them in a similar spirit, and not haggle over fractions of a penny, but try to mokoarrangements that all can approve. What will old opponents liko Lord Roscbory do ? Will they, aftor declaiming- tho colonies for insincerity in wishing to take everything from us and give us nothing in return, treat tho arrangement with contempt, reject the promise of mutual gain, repudiata the greatest practical stop yet proposed for Imperial union, urging tho need of change " Addressing the agricultalisli, Mr Chamberlain remarked, ''Put up tho umbrella boforo you got wet through-" Air. Chamberlain continued: "Last session 1 begged the Government to consider tho project of a commission, and now I hear tho wolcorao decision, and sec therein the certain precursor of victory, giving us the closer union that essential to our future greatness, Tho re is one point only, n matter of tactics, which I hopo . Mr, Balfour will considoras nlwaysunderstood whon wo confer with foreign couni tries or thecolouies. That is that if the representatives arrive at an agreement it will bo immediately submitted to Parliament. A second election or a plebiscite ; would involvo two general elections on ihe'l samo subjoct, and tho inconvenience would bo unpopular, and delay would possibly mean tho introduction of new issues, If that part of tho plan is maintained the colonies might bo justified in accusing us of insincerity and refuse to como to the conference to disclose their hands or express their wiL lingness, 'Vo won] 1 then find that nothing cold be dono until after a number of doubtful events over which thoy had no control. If the plan is modifiod in the BBiiso ir.dieiited, all may hopo to see tho realisation of the groat idea of union and of tho vision of Imporial trado, which our ancsstors and now ourselves darod to anticipate." A great shout greeted tho resolution in favour of a change in the fiscal system, and tho rearrangement of tho duty to secure closer commercial union withjthc colonies. Although there was a minortiy, the resolution was dockirod carried by a few thousand.

VIEWS OF THE PRESS London, October 6 The Chronicle says: " The Australian opinion goncrally shares Mr. Reid's theory that Mr, Balfour iotondsto sovcr himself from Mr. Chamberlain's crusade, and secure his own line of retreat. Anothor theory is that he intends to prolong tho era ofmoko boliovo and prosorvo for some time thounion, suoh aa it is, of tho Umonist party._ Mr Chambotlain believes, or affects to behove, the lattor, and continues on his own lines,"

The Daily News says: '• Mr Chamberain iotondsto go his own way and make an appoal to the country independently of Mr Balfour. Tho triiit of strength is botsveenonuwlioisnot n froo trailer and anothor who is ut protectionist, Tho Liberals must bo alert,"

Tho Times says: "Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain hold absolutely identical viows mi the question of iisd principle, The question of the two mandates does not ati3o at present, aro not cortain whether tho difference is as great as Mr Chamberlain thinks."

The St. James Gazette says that by assorting that Australian labour is supporting preference for electioneering purposes tho Labout Representation Committee is likely to incur another snub,

fhoJStftudiml says: "Mr Chamberlain, in implying that Mr Balfour and hitmelf pro quite at one, is rather admit and strikingly daring, but it j a doubtful whether ho has carried conviction."

Tho Daily Telegraph says: "It would bo far bitter to secure Imperial unity by an overwhelming majority on tho second time of asking than a bare mnjority at tho iiftl trial."

LETTER TO MR, WATSON

Press Association.—Copyrigh t. London, Octobtr 6

" '•■<■ labour Riprosenlition Counnittee, v/i '■no Mr, Wilton, says: "Wo hope Ihit Australian labour will not support a policy which organised labour in tho Motherland considers lo bo surrounded by most malign influences, and certain to bring strife whoro all is now harmony, and opposition whoro ell is fraternal feeling. Australian preference h illusory, since it retains a monopoly of its own, If Australian markots are opened freoly to British imports wo will then have some sbow of reason for joiniug in the cauipeign to force Britishora to benefit Australians by submitting to a high cost of living. Tho ex* peiienco of European labour is that protection only forges more chains to the WBgo carnors,"

))r Elisor's Tumor Juice for Constipation, Indigestion, Liver, Kidney and Madder ailment*. Many porsons are prematurely aged, imtr a.id withered wbon they should bo in their prime, booauao they have neglected to help natnro when needed. If this is your condition, tako Tamer Juice, '2s (id, all stores and ehtiiiialf,