PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Evening Star, Issue 12094, 15 January 1904, Page 6

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. A SANGUINE STATESMAN. AND A POLITICAL SCOLD. SHREWISH DECLAMATIONS. LONDON, January 14. (Received January 15, at 8.10 a.nv) Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, speaking at Maidstone, claimed that current opinion was running strongly in favor of the Liberals. The fiscal issue was a mere stratagem to secure a Bill of Indemnity for the mischief resulting from the Sooth African War. Protective duties once conceded led gradually but surely to the entire abandonment of" free imports. He wam6d the electors not to partake «if any soothing syrup labelled "Moderation in Protection.'* Once commenced, interests gathered round the system until the Ettie snowball became an enormous mountain. It would be unsafe to trust British destinies to a hotchpotch Ministry of diverse opinions and half-and-half minds. Liberals would gladly welcome the co-operation of the Unionists in combating false fiscal doctrines, but would brook no compromise in regard to their attitude on the education question and the discretionary powers of licensing magistrates. The Board of Trade retarns completely demolished Mr Chamberlain's contention that British trade waa suffering from deeping sickness. 1903 had been the best year British tarade had ever had. Ha ridiculed Mr Chamberlain's anti-importer nonsense, and accused the Government of bowing before Bacchus and pampering selected trades and industries, at the expense of the country. GERMANY AND CANADA.

OTTAWA, January 14. Germany offers Canada more favored treatment if German imports are accorded the same treatment as imports from France.