THE FISCAL CONTROVERSY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5134, 28 November 1903, Page 5

THE FISCAL CONTROVERSY.

AIR OHAAIBERLAIN’S PROPOSALS. TAXATION OF FARM PRODUCE. LONDON, November 2G. Lord Onslow, President at the Board of Agriculture, replying to a. correspondent regarding the effect of Air Chamborhiiu’.s proposals on agriculture, said ho did not bcilievo tlio ultimate cost of tho first necessaries of life would be enhanced. Dairy produce which came principally from foreign sources might ho enhanced, while wheat from a million acres and from areas in tho colonies yet unfilled would enter free. He would not recommend English -fanners to break up a single acre of pasture to sow wheat. Tlio farmer who welcomed a shilling tax on all imported wheat would equally welcome a two-shilling tax. ‘Tho Government.” ho added, “believes that tho negotiations for freer trade with foreign countries will succeed, and that tho increased imports thither will give more employment and better wages to the urban population, and so enable them to better purchase tlio more expensive fresh products of the Homo lands, lo which tho farmer is giving an increased attention. Colonial competition in these articles, under Air Chamberlain’s scheme, will not be keen.”

“SHAMEFUL DETRACTION AND ABES 15.” A REFERENCE TO NEW ZEALAND. LONDON, November 26. The Earl of Halsbury, Lord High Chancellor, addressing tho London Welsh Conservatives, .said . that since Air Bajlfour never proposed excessive retaliation, and tho Duke 'of Devonshire admitted that retaliation was some remedy against excessive tariffs, he was amazed at tho Duke of Devonshire not giving tho Government and tho country tlio benefit of his advice and assistance. Ho also protested against tho shameful detraction and abuso of Air Chamberlain. Lord Ripen, speaking at Bradford, declared that Air Chamberlain’s scheme placed additional difficulties in tho way of an Imperial Customs Union. Ho was surprised at tho exhibition of effusive gratitude by Mr Lyttelton, Colonial Secretary, for Air Soddon’s kiiidnessMn making a proposal which ho said was useless to Britain.

Air HAH. Asquith, Liberal member for E'ast Fife, speaking at Bodmin, said free trade and protection, wore tho only two feasible policies. There was no half-way heuso. The Liberals, ho added, must defend tho existing system with might and main. FREE TRADE AND RETALIATION. AIORE SUPPORT FOR AIR CHAAIBERLAIN. (Received November 27, 10.24 p.m) . LONDON, November 27. Lord Rothschild, speaking at Chcsliain, declared that ho had always considered it unstatesmanlike, impolitic and unjust to tax tho necessaries of life, but ho supported retaliation. Ho did .net believe in departing from tho principle of free trade, having boon reared in the belief of that policy, to which he still adhered. At a private meeting of delegates from Consrvativo Associations, held nt Greenwich, a resolution was adopted by a large majority in favour of Air Chamberlain's preferential proposals. Lord Hugh Cecil was tho chief speaker for the minority. / GREATER COAIAIERCIAL activity URGED. (Received November 27. 11.49 p.m.) LONDON. November 27. ■

Speaking at Croydon, Air O. T. Ritchie, late 'Chancellor of the Exchequer, said he did not anticipate much remission in the next Budget, but Hie indirect taxpayer was entitled to first consideration. It was quite right to try to leaver barriers preventing a largo export trade, but if Britain did a largo export trade she must do a largo import trade. . Air Ritchie said some of tho obstacles to trade wore of Britain’s own creation. Mr Buchenong’s recent report emphasised tho lowness of American freights to 1 South Africa compared with Britain’s. What was wanted was improved methods of putting gocyls before foreign customers and an improved consular service. The Government to provide commercial agents, with fmo buildings and staffs, as was done on the Continent. THE POSITION OF THE COLONIES. (Received November 28, O.5G' a.m.) LONDON. November 27. * Air H. H. Asquith had an enthusiastic meeting at Penzance. Ho said tho colonies enjoyed fiscal freedom and protected’ thoir own industries against the Alotherlaivl and against .foreigners, while tlio Motherland gave tho colonics free access to her largest and host markets. Therefore tho colon'icn had po ground for complaint. Thera was no sign, said Air Asquith’, that tho Empire was on tho point of dissolution. A rational and woll-organ-isdd system of education would do more for Britain than tariffs. Air Chamberlain's policy would not benefit tho Cornish tin industry, as tho Straits Settlements wero within tho Empire. AIR AUSTEN CHAAIBERLAIN. (Received November 28, O.oG a.m.) LONDON. November 27. Air Austen Chamberlain. Cimncollor of the Exchequer, addressed a mass meeting at Cambridge. He said the principle that they must not retaliate lost they damage their knuckles did not obtain at Cambridge in his undergraduate days. Tho Government aimed at negotiating freely, backing its words, if necessary, with deeds. He had heard of a largo order which had been placed in Germany, but owing to New Zealand’s action in passing a Preferential Trade Bill the order was cancelled and placed in England. Tho meeting ' resolved almost unanimously to endorse Mr Balfour’s policy.