MR CHAMBERLAIN.

Evening Star, Issue 11889, 18 May 1903, Page 7

MR CHAMBERLAIN.

♦ BACK TO BIRMINGHAM. ’ A GREAT ■RECEPTION. WHAT IS FRBETRADB! fiass 'Awbeiatioa—By Telegraph—Copyright "LONDON, May 16. Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, addressed his constituent* in the Birmingham Town Hall, and was given a tremendous ovation. Dealing with the question of South Africa, he emphasised his hopes of its unification. Upon his return from Sqjith Africa he found not Imperial bat local questions filling the minds of the public. Our Imperial policy was vital to the colonies and vital to ns. Referring to the trade preference offered by Canada and Australasia, he said he was not a Protectionist, but if the narrow interpretation of Freetrade current in Home circles prevailed the Motherland would lose the advantage of that farther redaction of duty which Canada was now offering. Germany's action in penalising Canada for making ah offer of preferential trade relations was intended te deter others from giving the Motherland a similar advantage, ft was a threat against South Africa and Australasia. This policy of dictation and interference was justified by the belief that - wo were so wedded to our fiscal system that we cannot interfere to defend the colonies, and that any of these attempting . to establish special relations with ns mast bear the brunt of foreign hostility. That was a humiliating position, whereof it was easy to predict the consequences. How

. could we ask the colonies to bear their share of the Empire’s burden along with a share of its privileges? They would say: “What privileges? We treat you as rela- • tiona and friends by giving yon preference; you reap the benefit, and leave ns to fight our own battles.” Mr Chamberlain asked "Is that Freetrade?” to which there were cries of “No!” Mr Chamberlain continued, saying it was an absolutely new situation not contemplated by the authors of Freetrade. “ Cobden did not hesitate to make a treaty of preference and reciprocity with France, and John Bright approved thereof. Both of them to-day would make a similar trealy with onr children.” (This statement, the meeting greeted with prolonged cheering.) Mr Chamberlain added: “ The people. of the Empire have got to consider this situation. I do not want to hasten their decision. The first alternative • is the wrong interpretation, mentioned before; the second is that we should insist on not being bound by any technical definition of Freetrade; and while wo seek full interchange of trade with nations we would recover freedom and power of negotiation, if. necessary, by retaliation whenever our interests or the relations of the colonies and ourselves are threatened."—(Loud cheers.) He concluded his speech with a peroration in favor of a self-sustaining, self-sufficient Empire. There is a consensus of opinion amongst

Unionists that the speech was meant as an earnest frank, and loyal warning to Mr Chamberlain's colleagues. The ‘Standard’ predicts that the speech will be remembered as the starting 'point a new development in party relations. THU OPPOSITION LEADER. AN AMAZING BOGEY. Frm Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 16. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Leader of the Opposition, speaking at Scarborough, mid that if preferential claims of the auto- ■ nomous colonies were admitted, India and the Crown colonies must follow. Then there would be a Chinese wall round the Empire, Britishers from the battlements shooting defiance to the world. Such a policy contained the inevitable seeds of dismemberment. A WARNING TO THE OPPOSITION. LONDON, May 17. (Received May 18, at 8.59 a.m.) Mr Chamberlain concluded his speech by raying: “If we make a mistake in home legislation it can bo corrected, but if we nake a mistake in onr Imperial policy it is Retrievable. Our opponents wiU find that whenever the General Election occurs the issues they propose will not be those whereon we shall> take the opinion of the country.”