THE COBDEN CENTENARY

Otago Witness, Issue 2622, 15 June 1904, Page 19

THE COBDEN CENTENARY

SOME NOTABLE SPEECHES.

LONDON, June 6. The Standard (C.) says that it did 1 not occur to the promoters of the- Cobden celebrations that they were belittling their hero and using him tfs a mere weapon of party strife. June 7. Sir Robert Giffen, speaking at Hayward's Heath, said the success of Cobden's commercial policy was incontrovertible. In 60 years Britain's population had increased 100 per cent., and its wealth considerably over 200 per cent. Wages had doubled and paupers had declined one-third. The value of the big revolver in negotiating with foreigners had been greatly exaggerated. Mr Leonard Courtney, speaking at Edinburgh, and Mr John Morley, at Birmingham, eulogised Cobden's work. The latter admitted the centenary celebration was not purely academic, but was connected with the effort to repel a resolute and audacious movement to undo the work of a groat Statesman. Mr Morley added that British prosperity was the first condition of colonial prosperity, for at least a generation the whole strength of the Empire must depend on the strength, and power of Britain. Since Freetrade was indispensable to the accumulation of wealth, j»ower ; _ and credit in Britain, it was cer-

tninly good for their children and kinsfolk acro&s the sea*. The Political Society (Bordeaux), the Italian Anti-Protection League, the Belgian Leagues of Commercial Liberty, and other bodies on the Continent celebrated the Cobden centenary.