THE FISCAL ISSUE

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1906, Page 2

THE FISCAL ISSUE

PROLONGED DEBATE IN THE

HOUSE

FREE-TRADE RESOLUTION

CARRIED

AN ACRIMONIOUS PASSAGE AT

ARMS

[press association.]

(Received March 14, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 14. In the House of Commons discussion was continued on Mr Kitson's motion "That the House, recognising that the recent election demonstrated their unqualified fidelity to the principles and practice of free-trade, records its determination to resist any proposal, whether a tax on corn or a general taiiff, to create for Britain a system ot protection." Mr Keir Hardie, Labor leader .in the House, opposed Mr Snowden's amendment demanding large measures of social reform, equally with the statement that free-trade was the sole issue of the election. He protested that the debate was occupying time which might have been profitably spent in redeeming some of the promises on the strength of which the Government won so handsomely the elections.

Mr Wyndham moved that after the word "proposal" the resolution conclude as follows:—" Involving artificial protection against legitimate competition, but are prepared to consider any scheme framed to secure more equal terms of competition for British trade, closer commercial union with the Colonies, or- for the purposes of revenue." He contended that the free-traders tolerated the protective system in India, where the duty was lowered to benefit Manchester, yet they objected to make changes in Britain enabling the Motherland to secure advantages in the Colonies. The present sj'stem was doomed. They must have a system giving fair returns for the workers at Home, while fostering the organic evolution of the Empire abroad. Sir H. C. Bannerman immediately (amid cries of " Gag " and "Shame !■') secured the closure by 471 to 123.

. , Mr< Kitson's motion was carried b 474 to 98.

An amendment by Mr Wortley to omit all gratuitous reference to freetrade was negatived after an acrimonious debate. '

The Speaker declared that Mr Robson was guilty of irrelevancy. Mr Robson's remark was: The Chinese labour pictures understated the truth. They ought to have represented a Chinaman on the block, suffering the lash, the Chinaman being laid there by the hand of the English Government.

Mr W. Clarke and a few others did not vote on Mr Kitson's motion.