THE FISCAL REFORM CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12400, 13 October 1903, Page 5

THE FISCAL REFORM CAMPAIGN.

OPPOSITION MEETINGS.

WORKERS AND A LITTLE LOAF.

MR. RITCHIE AND MR. CHAMBERLAIN. By Telegraph.— Association.— Copyright. London, October 11. Lord James of Heueford opposes the taxation of food in any form. Earl Spencer, addressing the Eighty Club, characterised Mr. Chamberlain as a most reckless and unscrupulous statesman, who never hesitated to use any weapon to advance his cause.

(Received October 12, 11.2 p.m. London, October 12. An open-air meeting of 3000 workmen at Liverpool on Sunday resolved that Mr. Balfour and Mr. Chamberlain's policy would mean a little loaf at Home and an apple of discord, and called upon every worker to condemn the monstrous absurdity that workers could be made richer by compelling them to pay more for their bread and meat, and preventing them spending their wages to the greatest possible advantage. •

Mr, Ritchie, addressing a meeting at Croydon, had an extremely mixed reception, the audience hooting and roaring and singing "Rule Britannia." When a fear was expressed that America would show great resentment and punish Canada if preference were given to Canadian com, he was met- with cries of " Rubbish," "Coward," "The McKinley tariff does not consider us." Throughout his speech his Cobdenite arguments were met with ribald and contemptuous comment. Mr. Ritchie complained of the suddenness with which Mr. Chamberlain had launched his policy upon the country without consulting the Cabinet. He admitted it was an attractive policy. He, personally, was prepared to do all he legitimately could to bind the colonies closer, and added: "I proposed to Mr. Chamberlain and the Cabinet that a. matter of such vital importance should be examined by an unprejudiced tribunal, possibly a Royal Commission. When Mr. Balfour offered me the Chancellorship of the Exchequer I hesitated, thinking it extremely likely that the question of preference would come up. Mr. Chamberlain desired the shilling corn tax retained for the purpose of giving preference to the colonies, but I determinedly opposed it, threatening _to resign, knowing that if the shilling duty was retained and given to Canada it would only be the commencement of a much larger scheme of taxing bread, meat, and all kinds of produce." '. (Received October 13, 0.34 a.m.)

London, October 12. . Mr. Berridge, the Liberal candidate who is opposing the Hon. Alfred Lyttelton for Warwick, in the course of an address at Leamington denied that the colonies desired to impose on the Motherland a policy meaning taxation of the bare necessaries of life to the poorest people.

AMERICAN - . AND FRENCH VIEWS., • (Received October 13, 0.34 a.m,J * New York, October 12. The New York Herald says Mr. Chamberlain's argument in favour of preferential trade establishes the urgency of American-Canadian reciprocity. Paris, October 12. Mi -Meline, ex-Premier, in the course of an interview, declared that Mr. Chamberlain's protectionism was aimed chiefly at Germany and America. If he (M. Meline) were an Englishman he would be a free trader, since the suggested tariffs would displease the clientele which Britain with her enormous carrying trade has acquired.