PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5008, 4 July 1903, Page 5

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

CABLE NEWS.

UNITED PEES 3 ASSOCIATION.—BY ELECTP.IC TELEGRAPH. —COPT EIGHT.

THE NATIONAL LIBERAL DEMONSTRATION. LONDON, July 2. Mr H. Asquith twho was Home Secretary in Lord Rosebery’s Ministry), in moving at a mooting of the National Liberal Federation a resolution that -Hr Chamberlain’s scheme would endanger Britain’s relations with the colonies and threaten the Empire's stability, protested against tho use of the rusty blunderbus retaliation and urged his countrymen to choose the weapons of precision which science had formed which the British oq'ually with the Germans were able to handle, and which were truly arms of quick fire and long range in the modern industrial campaign. What the colonies failed to purchase from Britain probably consisted of commodities which the Motherland was unable to supply. Preference would excite mutuaj jealousies between the colonies, and lead to the taxing of all raw materials coming to England. . Mr Augustine Bin-ell, in moving a resolution calling on the Government to declare its fiscal policy, said that a Government without a fiscal policy was unfit to remain in office five minutes. Tho resolution was adopted. THE POSITION OF BRITISH SHIPPING. LONDON. July 2. Mr W. Runciman, Liberal M.P. for Dewsbury, in a fetter to the chairman of the North of England Steamshipowners’ Association, recommends tho association to inquire into the effects of the proposed fiscal changes on tramp shipping, representing investments amounting to a hundred and twenty millions of genuine unwatered capital, and six-sevenths of the total being British steamers. He emphasises the likelihood of an increase in tho cost of shipbuilding, instancing America, where a difference of 30s per cent, in tho cost of steamers as compared with England killed American tramp shipping.

ASSURANCES FROM ME, BALFOUR.

LONDON, July 2. The Prime Minister (Mr Balfour), replying to questions in tho House of Commons, said he was unable to say when tho Government inquiry into Britain’s fiscal system would be completed, but ho was able to assure all questioners that there was no ’ probability of any dislocation of trade. GERMANY AND CANADA. ’OTTAWA, July 3. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Premier of Canada, interviewed, said Germany must initiate negotiations for a fiscal settlement. Canada would accept a reasonable agreement, though she would not move another finger since her advances had been rejected. THE UNIONIST FREETRADERS. (Received July 3, 10.13 p.m.) . ■ LONDON, July 3. Sir (Michael Hicks-Beach Ctormorly Chancellor of the Exchequer) has been elected chairman of the XTnionist Freetraders’ Committee to o nsidor Mr Chamberlain's preferential trade proposal. ; The Chamber of Commerce at Burnley, in Lancashire, by 47 votes to 23, has carried a resolution against tho proposed fiscal change.