VIGOROUS PROCEEDINGS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 142, 20 June 1903, Page 4

VIGOROUS PROCEEDINGS.

MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT

LOST.

Pre*s Association. Electric Telegraph

Copyright, London, June 18.

Sir 11. C. Banner man declared the fiscal resolution was launched in defi ance of constitutional rule, without the Cabinet's approval, iv opposition to Mr Ritchie's avowed opinion, and under no plea of urgency.

Mr Balfour, on reading Sir 11. Rawson's paragraph regarding the declaration of the Government: "That," he exclaimed, "does express the opinion of his Majesty's Government" (Ministerial cheers). " Would Sir Charles Bannerraan be quiescent if foreign countries penalised the colonies for drawing closer to the Motherland? If the Opposition would only agrea to a ri^ht policy it would be in support of tho colonies giving preferential tariff to our manufactures. Then no false hopes would be raised nor disappointment created. There would only be disappointment if the Opposition came into power and abandoned the colo njga " Sir Charles Dilke stated that Mr Balfour's speech was the most momentous declaration hitherto made^ implying that the Government were in favor of retaliation. ' Mr Balfour: "I never mentioned retaliation, but said I did not mean to leave the colonies in the lurch. Interrupting Mr Robson, Mr Balfour added: "I have not hesitated to say that if other methods failed I would nob shrink from retaliation, but I am not certain that there are not other methods." , Mr Chamberlain said it was possible if Britain had something wherewith to negotiate, countries like Germany would agree to a vivendi, but if it put Britain in a position of necessity we mint try and find a remedy. He denied that the question was not urgent. The colonies had raised the question, and Britain did not desire to send Canada elsewhere for reciprocal treatment. Without a close commercial union the Empire would fall into separate atoms. By 252 to 132 the motion was rejected. # Nationalists abstained from voting.