PREFERENTIAL TRADE QUESTION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 7743, 12 June 1903, Page 2

PREFERENTIAL TRADE QUESTION.

» MR CHAPLIN'S AMENDMENT DEFEATED. SPEECH BY MR BALFOUR. Received 11, 10.53 p.m. LONDON, June 11. In tho House of Commons Mr Chaplin's amendment was defeated by 424 to 28. Roceived 12, 12.29 a.m. LONDON, June 11. In the discussion on Mr Chaplin's amendment, Mr Asquith (late Liberal Home Secretary) asked if the words " Requiescat Resurgam" wero to be engraved on the tax's tomb. He protested it was an undignified innovation for members of the same Cabinet to pose as propagandists of irreconcilable policies. Sir Edward Grey (late Liberal Un-der-Seorotary for Foreign Affairs) feared the repeal of the corn tax was tho precursor of somothing worse. If preferential trade was once conceded, and then withdrawn, the Empire's dissolution would follow.

The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, Prime Minister, said the tax had been abandoned because it was no longer required, and it injured the farmer by raising the price of feeding stuffs. He denied that absolute uniformity of opinions was to be expected amongst members of the Government. It was sufficient if common action and common responsibility was admitted. Personally, he did not belong to the happy self-confident band who thought a fiscal system half a century old must remain unchanged for ever, but he was convinced no tax could be placed on food except with the country's full consent. Great changes were proceeding, and the tariff wall was steadily being raised against us ; great trusts threatened trade, and tho colonies desired a closer union by fiscal means, all of which were matters deserving, the ■ closest consideration. Received 11, 10.53 p.m. LONDON, June 11. Mr Alfred Hutton has given notice, ton behalf of the Opposition, that this House condemns any departure from free trade, and considers protection, either for purposes of colonial preference or retaliation upon foreigners, ovill inevitably lead to disaster and endanger the unity of the Empire. It expresses profound regret that any Minister is committed to a policy of food taxation.

Mr Henniker-Heaton, M.P., on being interviewed, said he was confident the country would afford Mr Chamberlain a mandate for his preference proposals. He bolieved Mr Deakin, Federal Attorney-General, in his recent message to the British Australasian, accurately described Australia's attitude. Received 12, 8.15 a.m. LONDON, Juno 11. Durihg the debate on Mr Chaplin's amendment, Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man, Leader of the Opposition, resented Mr Balfour's imputation that the Opposition was superstitip.usly adhering to obsoleto doctrines, and declared that Mr Chamberlain's views were more but of datei

The Standard slays Mr Balfour's words did not clear the obscurity surrounding the situation, and tb,at it is evident Mr Chamberlain's pplicy still holds, and must continue to hold, the field. The Times says Mr Balfour's speech induced a number of members to abstain Horn supporting Mr Chaplin's amendment, and adds that tbe division was no real indication of the balance of opinion, since it is certain | that the majority were influenced, by very diverse motives and views. - The Daily News says Mr ChamberKaln is in a minority in the Cabinet, but that he holds on for the greaent.