THE FREE FOODERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7886, 18 December 1903, Page 3

THE FREE FOODERS.

(Received December 18, 8.19 a.m.) LONDON, December 17. Mr Chamberlain scathingly attacked the Free Food League, "who, he said, swallowed retaliation with wry faces and choking throats. " They were willing to impose a duty provideds, it only injured foreigner* but if it were designed to benefit their friends and brothers, then their orthodoxy became rigid. They were Imperialists to the core and backbone ; they invoke Imperialism in after-dinner pktitudes^ but are willing to hound from politics their colleagues and former friends who seek to draw the Empire closer by dojing something the colonies desire. Th© fre£ fooders have been too lqng on an inclined plane ; they had 1 now got to the bottom, with Home Rulers and Little Englanders, whom they profess to oppose. I wish them joy of their company. R«cent events have shown that the Duke of Devonshire's encyclical did not "possess pontifical authority. They were trying to frighten the country with an. infinitesimal possibility of an imperceptible sacrifice.. Are we s-o mean as to accept the colonies' assistance in time of trial, and then, with a sneer, tell them, when they want to move a step nearer to political union, that such a sentiment will cost u« a farthing on the four-pound loaf?" Mr Chamberlain spoke for over . two hours, and at the conclusion of his speech th© meeting adopted a resolution in favour of his policy.