THE FISCAL PROBLEM.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 97, 21 October 1904, Page 5

THE FISCAL PROBLEM.

n—SIR EDWARD GREY'S VIEWS. THE ATTITUDE OF THE COLONIES. [PBESS ASSOCIATION.] LONDON, 20th October. Sir Edward Grey, Liberal member for Berwick-on-Tweed, and Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 1892 to 1895, speaking at Selby, said ii the Motherland consented to tax food she would expect the colonies to reduce the tax on British goods for the purpose of establishing in-tei-Imperial free trade. He welcomed any conference with the colonies to make them feel that they were partners with us in the management of the Empire. If the colonies then wished to discuss the fiscal question, let it be discussed, but the calling of a. conference to discuss the fiscal question only for the purpose of asking for lower duties on British goods,' when the colonies declare they are unable to afford it, was bound to cause friction in Imperial unity. The British Empire League, at the instance of fche Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agentdeneral for New Zealand, passed a resolution that Sir Frederick Pollocks letter was a thoughtful and weighty contribution to the literature of federation, and inviting branches to fully discuss it. THE' TAX ON FOOD. (Received October 21, 8.42 a.m.) LONDON, 20th October. Lord ,Carrington, a former Governor of New South Wales, speaking at Clackton, said the proposed colonial conference was a mere effort to cover Mr. Chamberlains failure. The Liberals did not object to a conference,, but objected to enter with their hands tied and pledged the cruel proposal of a tax on food. Lord Stanley, Postmaster-General, in a speech at Bolton, said he would not support a food tax until he was aware of the benefits Britain would secure. He favoured the holding of a colonial conference.