Chamberlain's Speech.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7550, 20 May 1903, Page 2

Chamberlain's Speech.

(Per Press Association— Copyright)

LONDON, Yesterday. Tho gist of further German opinion is that a self-sufficing British Empire is impossible ; that any i favour shown to the colonies, no' matter how material, would be detrimental to industry, from a competitive standpoint, and that Germany is better able to face a tariff with Britain that Britain with .Germany. Some German newspapers imply that tho price of Germany's friendship should be acquoscence m injury to our own interests, the Vossicho Zeitung pointedly remarking that Mr Chamberlain's advice to England and her colonies could scat--'cely conduce to tho improTemonU of Germany's political relations with Britain. Many interviews have been published Sir Gordon Sprigg, Prom _ ler of Cape Colony, declined to express ans' views. Mr Ilime, Premier of Natal favours a preferential tariff and reciprocal treatment. He added that the Bloem Conference considered, tho possibility of Continental retaliation which did not have sufficient' weight to deter tho delegates from! framing favourable resolutions. | _ Lord Milncr said it would bo I improper for him to express an onmion on Mr Chamberlain's policy. It was quite obvious, however, that feeling in South Africa was in favour of preferential treatment. It would be greatly strengthened i[ tho Motherland showed appreciation of the Bloemfontein- Conference resolutions. Dr. Smart declared that Mr Chamberlain's speech was the most masterly delivered for; many a day It was the only policy whereby the -Empire could be Federated, realising apart from sentiment tho necessity for bonds of commercial unity. Mr Hofmeyer agreed with Mr Chamberlain, if the speech implied [ reciprocal tariffs between the colonies and tho Motherland. Ho was inclined to think the Cape Parliament would adhere to the Bloomiontem preference proposals, if the admission or S j oll o f the Cane from the Customs Union was dependent on the acceptance Nevertheless, any one-sided grievance can hardly endure "-vauco SYDNEY, Last Night, fen 33. Barton declines to comment on Mr Chamberlain's speech except to say that he puts the^£ stion very strongly < H