BRITAIN'S POLICY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8420, 20 January 1899, Page 3

BRITAIN'S POLICY

SPEECH BY MR CHAMBERLAIN.

(Electric Telegraph— Co'.iyviglit— Unitett Tress Assoßiatiun.i London, Jan. li). Mr Chamberlain, speaking at the Wolvcrhainpton Cnamber of Commerce, said we must be ready to defend our own possessions. The inlluenee of Customs tariffs in new countries would take a fair share of further expansion, .mil induce others to maintain an open door. The national policy, irrespective of parly pursuance of this policy, had in one instance brought us to the brink of war, whence we were saved by the firmness of the Government and the almost unanimous resolve of the nation. He hoped Britain's position on the Nile Valley henceforth would bo recognised as .absolute and incontestable. Greatßritain had earned the right to be let alone in Egypt and the Soudan. If France desired an amicable settlement of the questions still remaining in dispute, Great Britain was prepared to meet her more than half way. The Madagascar and Newfoundland situations might disturb friendly relations if left unsettled. Mr Chamberlain defined the Little Englandcrs as those who honestly believed the expansion of the Empire involved obligations out of proportion to the advantages. Cobden's dream had not been realised, as Great Britain's exports to Protectionist Stntcs bad increased during forty years by 1-0 per cent., but to Freetrade countries or colonies whose tariffs she controlled the exports bad increased 270 per cent.