LORD ROSEBERY AT SHEFFIELD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 244, 15 October 1903, Page 2

LORD ROSEBERY AT SHEFFIELD.

A STIRRING SPEECH.

Received October 15, 7 a.m. London, October 14,

Lord Bosebery addressed an enthusiastio Liberal League meeting at Sheffield. He said tbe Government had inquired into tbe co&dition of the constituencies, not of commerce. Parliament was gagged. Tbe real head of the Government was actually Mi Chamberlain, and his son, who shares his ideas, was entrusted with the strong-box. Mr Balfour took refuge in the half-way house of retaliation, a sort of ark awaiting the return of the missionary with an olive branch in his mouth. The retaliation cry was needless. The Government might ask Parliament to impose higher duties, or, if it had the courage of its opinions, resort to Lord GranviUe's Orders-in-Connoil against the Berlin decree adopted in 1807. Mr Chamberlain's proposals were glittering soap bubbles. Hypothesis and assertion were insufficient grounds for a reversal of the fiscal system. If they adopted the policy it would provoke complications with foreign countries and involve a battle with the civilised world com* pared with which Armageddon would be a jest. Mr Chamberlain ought to have carefully consulted the colonies with a view to adopting a definite plan. He next quoted statistics dealing with free trade. The success of Imperial defence, diplomatic and consular services, and the money market were a credit to the colonies, to the Empire, and powerful bodies, whereas Mr Chamberlain's scheme would dislocate and probably dissolve the Empire.

Lord Rosebery continued: " Where were the colonies' offers of preference? Canada's staple was lumber, not wheat; yet Mr Chamberlain's scheme did not benefit lumber; and Australia was offered a slight preference in wine, and nothing on wool. He ridiculed the idea of the colonies' consent to restrict certain industries. If they fettered themselves they would be false to their own race and children, who would hereafter rise up, curse, and disavow them. As far as his strength went he would not allow to be dispelled his ideal of the Empire's future—a strong mother of strong children, each working out its political fiscal salvation on its own lines with perfect freedom."