THE FISCAL ISSUE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1717, 25 January 1905, Page 20

THE FISCAL ISSUE.

MELBOURNE, January 17. Sir Horace Tozer, the Queensland 'Agent- General, has arrived to consult his Government with reference to the representation of Queensland in l«onIn the course of an interview, he said Mr Chamberlain was making progress with the preference movement. *'Hitherto his cause has been the sport of party, but thinking people are beginning to realise that it is wisest to make the best use of the family connection, and the mercantile and financial communities are now thinking Beriously of the policy. If the elections take place now the Liberals will have a majority, and preference will ho delayed, hut I do not think there will be a majority deliberately intended to check Mr Chamberlain’s movement, nor do I think the Liberal electors or many Liberals of England are entirely m favour of considering the matter seriously.” LONDON, January 17. Mr Chamberlain has cancelled all his engagements, owing to the death of his daughter. LONDON, January 19. The Cobden Club has represented to the Commonwealth the trouble and injury inflicted on British traders by the new protectionist impost on advertising matter, a step which apparently contradicts £he expressed desire of the Federal Government to extend to the Motherland the best conditions of im>portation. Mr Chamberlain, in a letter, says: — “There is no difference of principle between Mr Balfour and myself, but. only one of method and tactics.” MR MOBLEY’S IMPRESSIONS. LONDON, January 19. Mr John Morley, speaking at Brechin, outlining the impressions of his visit to the United States, said he was convinced the revolt against high protective tariffs was growing too strong to be long resisted. The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce adopted a resolution warmly welcoming the Colonial Conference. THE AUSTRALASIAN STANDPOINT. LONDON, January 18. Mr R. P. Hardy, an actuary, who recently returned from Australia, read, a paper at the Colonial Institute on Imperialism from the Australasian standpoint. He contended that a closer political union between the Motherland and. the colonies was not advisable, while commerc.al union was both feasible and desirable. Any colonial preference given to the Old Country on the basis of higher duties against foreigners would prove of little advantage to Britain, while it would be distinctly injurious to the colonies. Colonial preference given by lowering duties against British imports would increase the prosperity of both Motherland and colonies. The Duke of Argyll, who presided, said if any preference which might be granted were found harmful it cou.d be withdrawn. It was difficult to understand the fuss people were making. The Hon W. H. James, AgentGeneral for West Australia, said trade preference would undoubtedly bring a closer political union. Major-General Sir E. Hutton, ’ate Commandant of the Federal Forces, said Australia had adopted a more complete system of national defence than the lest of the Empire.