MR CHAMBERLAIN AT LIMEHOUSE

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 12737, 17 December 1904, Page 2

MR CHAMBERLAIN AT LIMEHOUSE

United Press Association. — By Electric. 1 Telegraph.— Copyright. ',

London, December 1(5.

Mr Chamberlain addressing an 1 audience of 3500 persons at Limehouse,; said thart unrestricted imports render-; ed the pi'oleotioii of labour impossible' Cobklen had opposed tho protection of labour as of trade, but the country over-ruled the notion that men ought to be left to struggle against the. over-powering pressure of circum-,' stances, hence the factory legislation, due to Lord Salisbury. He recapitulated his own fiscal policy, giving', many homely illustrations, and warned the Motherland of the urgency of an atfratigelmont with her colonies for a constructive compvercial policy. It was not a iquostion. of loyalty, but of organisation. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, speaking atTewkestmry, supported Mr Balfour's retaliation proposals, which would substitute natural for artificial conditions and assist in promoting British Free Trade throughout the world.

Eeceived December .17, 11.40 a.m. London, December 16.

l\lr Chaanheirlain continued : It woukl bo easy to arrange a trade treaty such as Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Dominion Premier) offered and discuss any other question of mutual interest." JMr Tialfotir and himself # had been convinced beforpbaml that if the colonies attended a conference they would then show preference. "(We would soon know what they wero prepared to give, what we can give, and whether their offer was worthy of our attention. The Liberals had declared that this was undermining our prosperity and breaking up the Kmpire. They wore ready to ,malre a treaty with France, Germany, or the King of tho Cannibal Islands, and did not fear the consequences, but wore afraid to meet their kinsmen Mest they might come to blows. They treated them as HupplicanlH for graco and suspected them of wishing to get every thing, and give nothing. That is not my idea! of truo Imperialism. Curiously, they amphnsmod in the same breath the colonies' loyalty. How long will they bo loyal if their loyalty, is reciprocals! in fluc'h a spirit ? " TTo denounced Sir 3T. CanrpTjollißanner-mian's "little BnglatulisOT," and Lord "Ritwebery's nan- water thunderbolts. "If." said be "you feel the importance of maintainintr and ineroaßinjr good filing nnd bringing it to practical sb'-app then qivo the Govornmnnt the mandate for this conference. Mr Aacjluith tmay rost

assured that tho question of tariff relorni, once raised, will ne\cr die." A resolution in support was carried with enthusiasm. ;