The Fiscal Question.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12438, 16 December 1903, Page 2

The Fiscal Question.

United Press Association. —^By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. London, December 14. Lord Kosebery, addiossing two meetings at Edinburgh, numbering 8000, including many workmen, said Mr Balfour's army reform speech vwas full ] of breezy trivialities, suggesting Xmas extravag"ance. Mr Bulfour on behalf of Mr Chamberlain beat "the woods for game ; meanwhile the Cabinet supped on protection .and water until able to dispense with the water! It was evident the ministers ' who resigned believed the Government's valid policy was not retaliation, but protection and preferential tariffs. Mr Balfour's taxes -were not straight, forward. Lord Rosobery warned agriculturists that the Government was leading them into a quagmire of disappointment. A 2s duty on .wheat was inadequate, and would not , benefit the British farmer. It only stipulated an illimitable area of competition in Canada and elsewhere. The time would arrive when the United States would be unable to export wheat, and then it would be Canada's and Australia's opportunity t o develop virgin soil end become ihe great supplying spurces of the Empire. A bounty on Canadian wheat > woul£l increase depopulation in rural countries, by attracting agifcultural labourers "to Canada. In the event of , war. it would be safest for Britain to have a world-wide wheat supply. The alleged preferential offers from the colonies was a delusion not founded on a substratum of fact. "Colonial evidence &nows it is ,not true that the Empire can only be kept together" by preferential tariffs." Never before was it so strong, united and prosperous. Why arrest a nd disturb beneficial development ? We are not a great military nation like Home or .Russia, but a great defensive league of commerce under the great headship of the Crown. Each unit (including the heart of the Empire) must develop ;>s own condition in its <.wn way." He appealed to the nation not to stake the future stately company of Commonwealths on a throw of the dice. Mr Chamberlainjg policy was experimental, empirical, and unsolicited. He added : " I refuse to strike a fatal blow at the majestic structure of British commerce or empire. ' The meeting resolved in favour of free trade against preference and ireta&ation. Sydney, December 14. ThevAttomey-General^Mr Wise) has received a letter from Mr Chamberlain wherein he says the change to preferential tradfr will be carried, if at all by mixed consideration, sentiment and interest. "As to the/ former, 1 hope it will be strong with you, and that there will be some appreciation of what the Empire really means, as contrasted with pariochal life and small ambitions of little States. If the Empire breaks up into atoms each will be comparatively powerless, but if it holds together it will be the most powerful civilising influence in the world."