THE CORN DUTIES.

Evening Star, Issue 11609, 20 June 1902, Page 6

THE CORN DUTIES.

ME MOBLEY'S AMENDMENT

DEFEATED BY TWO TO ONE

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. IbONDON, June 19.

In moving the rejection of the corn duties Mr John Morley accused Sir M. Picks-Beach of opening Hide the door to Protection, and with vaguely hinting at an alteration of the financial relations of the Mother Ldnd and the colonies. The effects of the substitution of colonial for foreign produce would be to raise the -price of raw materials, increase the cost of manufacture, handicap Britain, abroad, and play ducks and drakes with her great trade for the sake of a relatively small one. It would be disastrous to interfere with the ramparts .of Britain’s . fiscal policy, which was basis, of her opulence and. credit. An animated debate followed. Sir M, Hicjcs-Beach disclaimed the idea of using the corn tax to alter the fiscal policy of the nation. The tax was necessary to meet • financial requirements. It was not the Government’s policy to try to encourage colonial trade by initiating a tariff war with Britain’s best customers. To talk of preferential duties was trailing a red herring over the scent The amendment was negatived by 251 to 118, and the third reading was fixed for Monday. Sir M. Hicks-Beach accepted the Irish Nationalists’ suggestion te reduce the maize tax one-half. Mr Redmond expressed his acknowledgments. MB SEDDON’S BELIEF. "LONDON, June 19. (Received June 20, at 9.10 a.m.) Mr Sodden is convinced that Great Britain will grant some concession to the colonies, though not to the extent of endangering her Freetrade policy.