The Budget Debate

Southland Times, Issue 19970, 11 June 1903, Page 2

The Budget Debate

THE CABINET DIVIDED ON THE CEDAMBERLAIN SCHEME. WHY SIR M. HJCKS-lIEACH lllSr \ SIGNED. Per United Press Association. By Electric Telegraph — Copyright. LONDON. June 10. deceived 11th. 12.2 a in. In the House ol" Commons the Jlor.. 11. Chaplin moved ui\ amendment • o the Budget, that the remission <-f the corn tax is needless ; will injuriously disturb trade and that it is preferable to reduce the duty on tea. Sir 11. Hicks- Beach regretted the repeal of tho tax, which was lUcal, not protectionist, and said that it the Cabinet and the House had received his proposals lor reducing the enormous increase of expenditure with loss indifference he would still have been Chancellor of the Fxcnequer. The repeal of the corn tax aj>pefcrod to directly bar Mr Chamberlain's proposals. Year after year, without a whisper of disagreement "frc on his colleagues, hc<Sir Michael) proposed colonial preference with regard to wines, tea, sugar, corn and flour. If Mr Chamberlain persisted he would destroy the Unionist party. The Hon. C T. Uitchie doubted ii an enquiry would .-slum- any practical means of carrying' out preferential treatment. He did not support tno policy, which would be detrimau I . al to the Motherland and her colonies. Hitherto members ~J the Government in referring to preferential tariffs, had spoken only for themselves Mr Kitchie intimated his intention to •■«- move the duty on' molasses under CO degrees. EXCITKMI'-XT !N THE HOUSIv Received 11th. 12. 2.1 a.m. „ There was a dramatic debate n *lr Chaplin's amendment. Despite 'ho Speaker's ruling there were many, animated references to preferential tarilTs. I'OSSIBILITIES AND PROBABLETIES. Much excitement and bewildenioiit pi-evailed in the lobbies, some predicting Mr Ritchie's resignation : others that Mr Chamberlain yosud resign. In otticial circles it is believed that Mr Balfour-will en?Ki*onr to postpone a dissolution wir.il legislative effect has been given <o pending domestic i eforins. . . o >;ne . fear that Cabinet dissensions \wls cause Unionist lukewarmness ov.jr the Irish Land Bill, but the Govemr.i Hit is confident that che Nationalisms' assistance will render the passing of the bill safe. The. situation is singularly interesting ; comparable to 1886, when Gladstone was defeated over the Irish land policy. The daufl says Mr Ritchie's direct challenge to Mr Chamberlain has created a profound impression and disclosed a wide clcarage in the Cabinet- It is anticipated Unit a crisis will J.ot arise until the issue is submitted to the country in a- more definite foi-ni. Received 11th. L 2.46 a.m. The debate on Mr Chaplin's auii'O.lment was adjourned. During the discussion Sir Tl. H. Fowler said the country would certainly repudiate a • cheme to revolutionise the fiscal policy.

Mr A. H. I> Elliott, the new V\nancial Secretary t6 the Treasury, endorsed Mr Ritchie's opinions.