THE FISCAL REFORM CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12402, 26 October 1903, Page 5

THE FISCAL REFORM CAMPAIGN.

SPEECH BY LORD LONSDALE.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN' POLICY

SUPPORTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association,—GopyrifM. (Bece-ited October 25, 9.22 a.m.) >Loni>on, October 24. Lord Lonsdale, addressing his constituents, • warmly supported Mr. Chamberlain's policy, which, he said,' was calculated 'to greatly;; improve Ireland's prospects and would substitute mixed farming for the present too exclusive reliance on stock-raising. Before long the great majority of the people would range them selves on the side of Mr. Chamberlain. V' " ~':■ ■■

UNIONIST FREE FOOD . LEAGUE. ■ (Beeeived October 26. 12.10 a.m.) . London, October 25. The Unionist/ Free Food League has elected the Duke of Devonshire president, and Mr. Goschen, Sir | Michael Hicks-Beach and Mr. Rit- I chie vice-presidents. _. The league has approved a state- j ment declaring: its "willingness to consider in a friendly and loyal; | spirit Mr. Balfour's plan, but declaring that Mr. Chamberlain's policy would raise the price of food, injure some trades, by lessening purchasing power, and the harassing interference inseparable from a Customs tariff embracing a great number of. articles. :It would also raise the price of partly-manufactured imports for many of the best-paid in-1 dustries, thereby increasing the cost of production, and impairing the power of competing with foreign rivals. The league further declare that the nature and value of the suggested colonial preference is undefined. All that is known f.s that the colonial manufacturer will still be protected against the British manufacturer, " though the British farmer will not be protected against the colonial. Hence Britain would have j all the disadvantages of an Imperial Zollverem and none of the gams. The statement adds that little attention is paid fco the needs of India or other possessions whose tariffs are not protective, ■ and concludes that if Mr. Chamberlain's principles are accepted by the electorates the manufacturing and producing interest will hereafter endeavour to obtain protection of their own industries and disregard the general welfare of the country. ~ ,■ - _ ATTITUDE OF MINERS' CONFERENCE. ,

London, October 23. The National Conference of .Miners' 'representatives in London strenuously opposed any change in the fiscal-policy of Great Britain.